Reakopana Opera was started in South Africa by Herman Theron in 2012. Its inaugural production, Candide (cast in photo) by Leonard Bernstein, was staged in August of 2012 in South Africa, and November of 2012 in Switzerland.

Herman Theron works in collaboration with Yves Senn from L’Avant Scéne Opéra (Switzerland), an experienced conductor, vocalist and opera company director who understands opera as an art form and is regarded as a mentor to Herman Theron.

Reakopana Opera is a vehicle to create work for artists in the industry in South Africa, as well as becoming a conduit for young aspiring artists to get access to opportunities for growth and a definite step forward in their careers. These include creating opportunities to sing in South Africa, as well as going overseas to further their studies and getting opportunities to perform, as is already happening.

Together with creating jobs, a very important part of Reakopana Opera is to develop young aspiring professional singers and students and put them on stage with professionals, so that they learn and grow. This model is being implemented with great success in L’Avant Scéne Opéra in Switzerland and that is why the company has something unique to offer performing arts in South Africa.

The philosophy of Reakopana Opera is to give. As one gives and enriches artists’ and audiences’ lives, one adds value to the self. Furthermore, by doing so, value gets added to the art form and thus making it more sustainable i.e. creating work.

Reakopana Opera Festival 2013

Reakopana Opera is hosting an Opera Festival every year, where they showcase South African and international talent. In the process they endeavour to expose South African performers to excellent guidance and growth opportunities. Candide, the operetta by Leonard Bernstein, was its inaugural production in 2012 and was staged in South Africa as well as Switzerland. The company used a mixed principal cast from South Africa and Switzerland.

It is also important for Reakopana Opera to grow opera within a South African context, so they will be performing South African work next to international work. By doing this, the company will draw from the rich opera heritage that exists, but will also support new and exciting work from South African composers.

The festival in 2013 will be held from 13 October to 20 October at the Greenside Theatre in Johannesburg
Recital - 13 October
Opera students will have the opportunity to prepare work with an European and South African stage director and vocal coach for a performance in the festival.
Opera - 16, 19, 20 October
Giaocchino Rossini’s comic one act opera L’occasione fa il ladro / Opportunity makes a Thief, with stage direction by Alex de Marco and music direction by Yves Senn.

The Reakopana Academy
The Academy develops young people to understand singing and what it means to be on stage. They work with children from 5 years old to school leaving and prepare them individually as well as in groups. Young performers are divided into two groups, namely: 5 to 12 years; and 13 years to school leaving. From 2014, the Academy will present performances at the company’s yearly festival with academy students. It is important that young artists that have a passion for performing on stage get an opportunity to do just that, but also that they are equipped to do that.

Singing classical music is a realistic and attainable vocation and if or when students decide to make singing a career choice, the Academy can prepare them for the professional stage, as well as providing performing opportunities in South Africa and Europe.

Published 16 April 2013