THE BLACK TIE ENSEMBLE
AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE
It is a fact of life in South Africa that the opportunities for young singers who aspire towards attaining any heights in the field of opera no longer exist to the extent they once did. This reality is one that confronts virtually every young person who chooses to enter the world of the performing arts, in whatever métier. Artists have been forced to create their own work and to adopt a truly entrepreneurial spirit, much in the manner of the touring theatrical companies of old, and new opportunities are being created every day.
It was in this spirit of entrepreneurship and with a determination to preserve the traditions of opera performance in this country, not to mention the creation of a pathway for gifted young singers to attain their goals, that South Africa’s diva, Mimi Coertse, and celebrated opera director and costume designer, Neels Hansen, decided to create The Black Tie Ensemble.
The Ensemble has during the last five years developed into one of the most exciting classical music and singing projects in Gauteng. Proudly sponsored by SA Breweries – North Region and Sasol, with additional support given by The South African State Theatre, BASA, SAMRO-Endowment for the Arts and Nedcor Foundation (founder sponsor). The Black Tie Ensemble consists of a multicultural group of classically trained and talented young opera singers from diverse cultural groups in South Africa, and they aspire towards bringing opera and quality singing to a wider audience, mainly by way of performing at CORPORATE GATHERINGS and INDUSTRIAL EDUTAINMENT, to schools and to outlying areas. They have also performed at various Arts Festivals in South Africa and Namibia.
This initiative enables them to earn an income while gaining experience and realising their dreams with their glorious voices. The experience gained since the formation of the company in March 1999, has let to its now being in a position to embrace more challenging projects, and they staged their first opera, RIGOLETTO, during May 2001 to rave reviews. Their second opera, MADAMA BUTTERFLY, was staged in the Spoornet State Theatre, the new “home” of the Black Tie Ensemble since August 2001. The Ensemble was very honoured to have Mrs Zanele Mbeki attend the opening night. The Black Tie Ensemble elicits standing ovations at virtually all their performances. The media have been extremely impressed with the project particularly because the standard has been consistently high.
“Triumphant staging of Verdi’s RIGOLETTO” - Riek van Rensburg Pretoria News
“The Black Tie se RIGOLETTO `n puik toekomsbelegging” - Thys Odendaal Beeld
“Black Ties se RIGOLETTO prysenswaardig” - Beeld
“Drie van Black Tie genooi om in Beijing te sing” - Thys Odendaal Beeld
“Grense is só in Bloemfontein oorgesteek” - Marina Griebenow Volksblad
“Black Ties sit finale stempel van welslae op fees” - Volksblad
“A Magical Butterfly” – Riek van Rensburg Pretoria News
“Prime accolade in this production goes to Zodumo Mboniswa” – Riek van Rensburg Pretoria News
“This multi-racial production of Puccini’s immortal MADAMA BUTTERFLY is a triumph for the Black Tie Ensemble” – Michael Traub The Citizen
“A production not to be missed, one that South Africa can be proud of”– Michael Traub The Citizen
The Black Tie Ensemble has since its launch in March 1999 made appearances at functions for auspicious audiences such as:
- South African Airways’ Executives and Lifetime Platinum cardholders
- A soiree for The Airports Company of South Africa
- Several Soirees and Concerts for Vodacom, Altron, Classic FM
- Concerts at the major Arts Festival: “Aardklop” in Potchefstroom, The “Namibië Kunstefees” in Windhoek, Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn and the Volksblad Fees in Bloemfontein
- A performance for a delegation of cultural advisors from Germany
- The Lipizzaners Viennese Ball
- The Garden World Concert
- Several regular concerts and Soirees for Rapport and City Press
- Edutainment programme: The Mountain to Mohammed Project at the Highveld Steel factory near Witbank
- One of the ensemble members, Linda Zitha, sang on 14 November 2000 at the Earth Gallery, National History Museum London, and had a great personal success. He repeated this performance at the Frankfurt Opera House in January 2001. This spectacular event was arranged by Ogilvy One Worldwide for South African Tourism.
- Several VIP soirees and concerts for Nedcor Investment Bank
- A recording for Kyknet’s Draadloos - this was aired on 22 December 2000
- A Christmas Eve street concert at Montecasino Fourways
- During February 2001 the Ensemble performed for the Directors and Editors of all the newspapers and magazines belonging to the Naspers Group.
- During May 2001 the Black Tie Ensemble completed their first full-length opera RIGOLETTO (Verdi) at the Aula, Pretoria and received excellent reviews from the Press.
- During 2001, the Black Tie Ensemble performed regularly at the Kloppenheim Country Estate in the Machadodorp area.
- The South African Department of Foreign Affairs in Beijing invited members of The Black Tie Ensemble, as part of the Youth Day Celebrations, to perform at concerts in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai
- The Ensemble has staged their first true corporate opera for their main sponsor, Nedcor Investment Bank with Opera in Miniature: La Traviata (Verdi). This 70-minute performance was staged in the Agfa Theatre on the Square, Sandton. This performance was repeated at the Kloppenheim Country Estate.
- A performance in the open air at the Royal Livingston Hotel, Zambia – a corporate function
- Invited to sing for Mr Mandela at the Newsmaker of the Decade Award.
- During April 2002 the Black Tie Ensemble completed their second full-length opera MADAMA BUTTERFLY (Puccini) at the Spoornet State Theatre, Pretoria and received excellent reviews from the Press. For the first time, the opera was accompanied by the 35-piece Chamber Orchestra of South Africa.
- The Black Tie Ensemble was honoured to perform for the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology at a dinner held in honour of the Finnish Delegates.
- Performances annually for the Pretoria News: A Night at the Proms
- At the end of October, the Black Tie Ensemble did a short season of the acclaimed Madama Butterfly at the Sand du Plessis theatre in Bloemfontein to critical acclaim.
- A Christmas concert for Classic FM and a Christmas Gala in the Drama, Spoornet StateTheatre during December 2002.
- The Black Tie Ensemble has collaborated with the South African Ballet Theatre to stage Valentine Enchantment in the Opera, State Theatre Pretoria.
- In August 2003, members of the Ensemble did second outreach concert in Witbank: “Concert for the People” in the Witbank Civic Theatre.
- The Black Tie Ensemble launched their debut CD on 23 August 2003 and at this event, they presented their Opera Gala where they, for the first time, collaborated with two major artistic companies, The Johannesburg Music Initiative and the Gauteng Choristers.
- September 2003, The Black Tie Ensemble performed at the Starlight Concerts in Johannesburg, presented by Rand Merchant Bank.
- Performed during the opening ceremony of the tenth UNISA Piano competition
- The second successful season of valentine Enchantment performances
- On 3 March they celebrated their 5th birthday with a gala concert in the State Theatre.
FUTURE ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE:
The monthly concerts at the Ristorante Ritrovo continue in support of the Adopt-an-Artist Scheme. Already fifteen members of the Black Tie Ensemble have been adopted. The Black Tie Ensemble also performs regularly on every last Sunday of the month at the South African State Theatre in the Sunday Morning Opera Concerts. 2004 promise to be very exciting for The Black Tie Ensemble as there are two possible overseas trips in the pipeline. The Black Tie Ensemble will also have the chance to do an opera again in 2004, staging La Bohème (Giacomo Puccini) in June, followed by our annual Gala Concert. The Ensemble will continue with their outreach work at schools and factories throughout the year.
The Black Tie Ensemble will continue their Opera Vignettes. Arias and ensemble work from an opera are combined with narration into a 75 – 90 minute programme. This is a short staged version with costumes and props of the original work.
THE BLACK TIE ENSEMBLE HOME:
The Black Tie Ensemble have, since August 2001, established their new home in The South African State Theatre – Spoornet, and for the first time have their offices and rehearsal space together in one building. The Black Tie Ensemble is very grateful for all their support and assistance.
PERFORMANCES FOR THE CORPORATE WORLD:
The Ensemble can be divided into groups of 4 artists, up to the full Ensemble, depending on the client’s needs, but we have found in the past that with a minimum of four singers, we can compile a suitable programme. The programme can then include arias, duets, trios and quartets. The first half of the programme usually includes well-known opera-arias, duets and ensembles. The second half includes operetta-excerpts, Italian songs and excerpts from the classical musicals.
ONGOING SCHEMES AND PROJECTS:
“ADOPT AN ARTIST” - SCHEME Performance events are created by The Black Tie Ensemble Management for the Ensemble singers. Fees fluctuate depending on the actual number of performances, the content of the programme and the configuration of the Ensemble. The singers do generate their own income through the Black Tie Ensemble performances and outside- work. In order to strengthen their financial situation, the Black Tie Ensemble in association with the Mazzone family of Ristorante Ritrovo created the “Adopt an Artist” Scheme. The Mazzone family won a category award at the BASA Awards 2003 for their initiative.
THE BLACK TIE ENSEMBLE ARTISTS AND ADOPTERS FOR 2004:
Louette Johnston coloratura adopted by RAPPORT
Ntokozo Xaba coloratura
Loveline Madumo soprano adopted by CITY PRESS
Bongiwe Madlala soprano adopted by CHARLES AND ALEJANDRO
Charlotte Silulu mezzo adopted by THE AIELLO FAMILY
Veramarie Meyer mezzo adopted by SAPPI
Dewald von Solms tenor adopted by JAY PARSONS
Siyabulela Bede tenor adopted by KIASOMA
Rheinaldt Moagi tenor adopted by SAPPI
Khotso Tšekeletsa tenor adopted by JEAN LLOYD
Jonathan Boinamo baritone adopted by THE KÖNIG FAMILY
Linda Zitha baritone adopted by THE MAZZONE FAMILY
Vuyani Mlinde bass adopted by SAPPI
Paul Madibeng bass adopted by THE GOUS FAMILY
“INCUBATOR” SCHEME Supported by the Nedcor Foundation, this scheme, assists young talented artists with no formal singing training to gain experience and become part of The Black Tie Ensemble in the future. These young artists receive vocal coaching as well as music theory on a weekly basis and from time to time get the chance to do ensemble work with The Black Tie Ensemble.
THE “INCUBATOR” ARTISTS AND ADOPTERS FOR 2004:
Madeleen Engelbrecht soprano adopted by SAPPI
Itumeleng Tladi baritone adopted by SAPPI
Thabang Senekal baritone adopted by SAPPI
Obakeng Molepe baritone
Dikgang Mantoro bass
THE BLACK TIE ENSEMBLE ARTISTIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Founder & German Coach : Mimi Coertse
Founder : Neels Hansen
Resident Conductor : Graham Scott
Senior Repetiteur & Coach : Susan Steenkamp-Swanepoel
Repetiteur & Coach : Engeli le Roux
Project leader: The Incubator Scheme : Antoinette Olivier
Manager : Arnold Cloete
Publicity & Marketing Officer : Simone Scholtz
Administration Officer : Sandile Shabalala
Ad hoc Italian Coach : Bianca Berg-Mathiassen
Ad hoc French Coach : Wynand du Plessis |
