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WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH CAPE TOWN OPERA
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A three-year strategic partnership between a spirited opera company and a landmark arts centre, aimed at strengthening cultural links between Wales and South Africa, was unveiled today.
The agreement between Wales Millennium Centre and Cape Town Opera cements their ongoing relationship and strengthens the Centre's association with South Africa's only repertory opera company. The company is South Africa's largest performing arts organisation. They made their UK debut at the Centre with a performance of 'Porgy and Bess' as part of the Centre's 5th birthday celebrations in 2009.
By working together both organisations aim to provide a platform for cultural exchanges. This will include opportunities for collaborative working with other arts companies and the potential to increase access to opera performances for audiences in Wales, the UK and South Africa.
DEBUT PERFORMANCE AND EDUCATION PROJECT
The showpiece of the agreement includes a debut performance of a new opera and an education project with schools in Cardiff Bay.
'Mandela Trilogy' is a new version of an original opera developed and devised by Michael Williams, Cape Town Opera's Managing Director, and composed by Allan Stephenson, Mike Campbell and Peter Louis van Dijk based on the life of Nelson Mandela. It opened in June 2010 as a cultural piece to coincide with the FIFA World Cup being staged in South Africa. Its UK debut performance by Cape Town Opera will be at Wales Millennium Centre in June 2012.
'Mandela Trilogy' is the company's latest touring work that highlights the unique and forceful sound of the African voice. The piece celebrates three phases of Mandela's life, with three performers portraying the former South African president using different styles of music.
An education project involving an artist from Cape Town and one from Wales forms part of the community work that will stem from the partnership. The artists will work with schools and community groups in South Wales exploring the theme of belonging and how cultural differences can enrich communities. The project will also involve Welsh National Opera, one of the Centre's resident organisations. The project will culminate in a performance in Wales Millennium Centre as part of the Centre's celebrations of Black History Month in October 2011.
There are also plans for staff exchanges between the Centre and Cape Town Opera to share best practice and develop working relationships.
THIRD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Wales Millennium Centre's vision is to establish a series of strategic partnerships with local, national and international organisations. It already has a five-year agreement with Galeri, Caernarfon and with the Mariinsky Opera. The partnerships mean that Wales Millennium Centre can continue to showcase Wales to the world and bring the best of the world to Wales.
The concept of establishing formal links between Wales Millennium Centre and Cape Town Opera was initially proposed in response to the long association the Centre has had with South Africa and Cape Town Opera, which dates back to the opening of the Centre in 2004. The Centre's relationship with Cape Town Opera stems from the Centre's association with its founding patron, Sir Donald Gordon and the Donald Gordon Foundation in South Africa.
Mark Taylor, Chief Executive, Wales Millennium Centre said: 'This is a significant milestone in the history of Wales Millennium Centre and in the development of cultural links between Wales and South Africa. This partnership is the fruition of ambition, resolve and artistic achievement from colleagues at the Centre and at Cape Town Opera and I'm confident that the new relationship will provide cultural opportunities for both organisations and our audiences.'
Michael Williams, Managing Director, Cape Town Opera said: 'Cape Town Opera is delighted to have entered into a three year partnership with Wales Millennium Centre and believes that both companies, will grow substantially as a result. Cape Town Opera is fully committed to ensuring that this partnership is successful, rewarding and exciting and will benefit both organisations and their audiences.' |
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011 |
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