Bongani Ndodana-Breen: 'A video from ETV News (South Africa) on the opening of Winnie, The Opera'

Composer

Bongani Ndodana-Breen
sends AfriClassical a link to a video
about the opening of Winnie the Opera:

Hi William:

A video from ETV News (South Africa)
on the opening of Winnie, The Opera
(http://www.winnietheopera.com)

http://youtu.be/gkrGTTJhDjM

Best wishes,

Bongani Ndodana-Breen

Bongani Ndodana-Breen: 'Video excerpt from Winnie The Opera shot at dress rehearsal'

The South African composer and conductor
Bongani Ndodana-Breen
has written the music for

Winnie The Opera,

about Winnie Mandela.
He sends us this link to a brief video clip:

Video excerpt from Winnie The Opera shot at dress rehearsal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoGe2VtrrY0&feature=related

Opera opens April 28, 2011
South African State Theatre, Pretoria

http://www.winnietheopera.com

Shirley Jo Finney Directs Bongani Ndodana-Breen's 'WINNIE The Opera,' Premiering April 28 in Pretoria, South Africa

[Shirley Jo Finney]

John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com sends this news:

“Shirley Jo Finney, recent winner of nearly every directing award in Los Angeles for The Ballad of Emmett Till at the Fountain, is now directing an opera about the life and times of Winnie Mandela, set to premiere on April 28, 2011 at the State Theater in Pretoria, South Africa.

“The opera focuses on when Winnie Mandela was summoned in 1997 before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a body charged with investigating wrongs committed during apartheid, to probe the murder of one of her supporters. The opera of the woman often called 'the mother of the nation' will be in English and Xhosa.

“Shirley Jo says of WINNIE composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen: 'His music is inspired ... touched by the gods.'"

Bongani Ndodana-Breen: 'Winnie The Opera, Radio Promo'

Bongani Ndodana-Breen sends AfriClassical this release:

“Dear Friend,

What a journey! As we launch the final phase of our media campaign for the World Premiere of Winnie The Opera (http://www.winnietheopera.com), I thought I would share this radio promo with you which will be heard throughout South Africa. As always I am grateful to the wonderful family of very talented people assembled around this project and whose energies and commitment sustain our company and this exciting venture.

“We have been very blessed to have the support of our major partners the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, The State Theatre of South Africa, The National Arts Council and the Department of Arts & Culture. Many many other South African people and institutions have walked this journey with us over the past 2 years, and we are grateful to them for getting us this far.

“Here is a link to the brief 30 second promo
http://soundcloud.com/ndodanabreen/winnie-the-opera-radio-promo

Peace & Light”

Bongani Ndodana-Breen

Vundowil (Pty) Ltd

http://www.winnietheopera.com

Bongani Ndodana-Breen: 'Winnie The Opera' 'with the Kwa Zulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra,' Pretoria April 28, 2011

[Winnie The Opera; Bongani Ndodana-Breen, composer; Warren Wilensky and Mfundi Vundla, librettists]

Behind the scenes look at WINNIE, THE OPERA

An opera by Bongani Ndodana-Breen with libretto by Warren Wilensky and Mfundi Vundla

Directed by Shirley Jo-Finney with the Kwa Zulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, opens at the South African State Theatre, Pretoria on April 28, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF4P1T5Sohw&feature=player_embedded

More info http://www.winnietheopera.com

“Winnie The Opera

“She gave voice to a time. She gave voice to a place. She gave voice to a people. Love her or hate her….but come and hear her.

“Winnie The Opera is a unique and proudly South African collaboration by internationally renowned South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen, award-winning filmmaker Warren Wilensky, and legendary local producer Mfundi Vundla, which premieres at Pretoria’s State Theatre on 28 April, 2011.

“The opera focuses on Winnie as she is subpoenaed to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and is confronted by legal counsel who accuse her of unthinkable crimes. Her defiance in the face of these charges evokes her memories from a fragmented life of tragedies and triumphs – from two hundred days of torture in solitary confinement, the sacrifice of her family life for the political struggle, her banishment and painful isolation in Brandfort, and her inspiring of the masses with hope during the darkest times of the struggle.

“Winnie The Opera runs from the 28th of April to the 3rd of May 2011 at the State Theatre in Pretoria. For more information, visit http://www.winnietheopera.com. Bookings available through Computicket.”