“One of today’s most exciting new operatic voices” takes to the stage on Saturday night in the spectacular penultimate concert of the 2016 International Musicians Platform at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries .
South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza will take the place of the previously billed Danielle de Niese, who, owing to illness, was forced to pull out from all her engagements this week.
Audiences will not be disappointed to hear the exclusive Decca Classics recording artist sing alongside tenor Nicky Spence in a spectacular and diverse evening of song by composers from Verdi to Gershwin and Puccini to Bernstein.
Pumeza shot to international stardom when she wooed the world with her freedom anthem at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games launch in 2014 watched by over a billion people.
Since then, the little girl from the Nyanga township in Cape Town, has gone on to win multiple awards, starred in a number of high profile operatic roles and has become a hugely successful recording artist.
Last season Pumeza made her debut with the Orchestra dell’Accademia Santa Cecilia in Rome under Antonio Pappano, singing the world premiere of Luca Francesconi’s Bread, Water and Salt, based on the famous speech by Nelson Mandela.
Her debut as Eve in the world premiere of Giorgio Battistelli’s CO2 at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, a tour with Rolando Villazon, Dido in Dido and Aeneas with the English Concert Orchestra at the Bristol Old Vic as part of the Bristol Proms series and a concert tour with Rolando. Recent roles in Stuttgart where the soprano has been member of the ensemble for the past three seasons include, Micaela ( Carmen), Mimì (La Bohème), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Ännchen (Der Freischütz), Zerlina (Don Giovanni) and Pamina (Die Zauberflöte).
Pumeza studied at the University of Cape Town College of Music and the Royal College of Music with a full scholarship. She also participated in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Thomas Allen, Renata Scotto, Joan Rogers, Paul Farrington, Philip Langridge and Ileana Cotrubas.
She has worked with accompanists Malcolm Martineau, Julius Drake and Simon Lepper. Pumeza Matshikiza was also a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists’ Programme at the Royal Opera House from 2007-2009.
On Saturday night she will star alongside two internationally renowned musicians: tenor Nicky Spence and pianist Simon Lepper.
The concert takes place in the Duncan Rooms, Easterbrook Hall, Crichton, Dumfries, on Saturday, 13 August at 7.30pm.
Continuing a highly successful International Musicians Platform, cellist Kirsten Jensen will give a concert accompanied by John Thwaites on piano at the Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms Hotel, Thornhill, at 7.30pm.
On Sunday, superb pianist Anna Fedorova will play out the concert series with a recital at the Crichton Memorial Church, Dumfries, at 7.30pm.
For further information, programmes and all tickets, visit www.absoluteclassics.org.uk
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