Cape Town Opera has announced that soprano Khayakazi Madlala has joined the company as a Judith Neilson Young Artist.

Earlier this year, Madlala made her debut as the High Priestess in Verdi’s “Aida” at the Royal Opera House in London. She will reprise the role in the upcoming Cape Town Opera production of “Aida,” which opens on May 23.

The grand scale performance features a 52-person chorus. Magdalene Minnaar  directs with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kamal Khan. Gregory Maqoma choreographs.

Last year Madlala participated in the Renée Fleming Song Studio and joined the Opera for Peace Academy, receiving coaching from esteemed artists including Thomas Hampson, Lawrence Brownlee, Sumi Jo, Brian Jagde, and Kamal Khan. She has also participated in master classes at the Guildhall School. Her accolades include the Audience Prize and the Andrea Catzel Prize at the 2020 Voices of South Africa Competition. She recently completed her postgraduate studies at North-West University.

“Aida” runs at the Artscape Opera House from May 23 to 31.

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