Taking World Famous Opera in an Interesting Direction

Taking World Famous Opera in an Interesting Direction. The Department of Performing Arts (Opera) at Tshwane University of Technology has reinterpreted one of the world’s most popular operas to make it easier for a young modern audience to enjoy it as well as bring some attention to some historical facts about Tshwane.

Taking World Famous Opera in an Interesting Direction

Donizetti’s opera Bhekamina, which takes place on Heritage Day in Marabastad, was renamed by the Department as L’elisir D’amore, which originally used a village setting in rural Italy. TUT’s Arts Festival will stage the production in September, which will continue to be in Italian.

This production aims to draw attention to an area that also suffered forced removals similar to District Six in Cape Town. Since these sites have been restored and upgraded, they have become international tourist attractions. Is there a better use of our capital’s inner city than upgrading its heart and pulse?

There is a romantic comedy in Bhekamina. Dedicated to Adina, who runs a clothing store in Marabastad, Nemorino is in love with her. The poor Nemorino is not of interest to Adina. A police sergeant wearing traditional clothing arrives in Boom Street and proposes to Adina.

There is a false pastor and traditional healer named Dulcamara who comes and sells his muti to everyone. Nemorino buys umuti wothando (an elixir of love) from him to make Adina fall in love with him. In fact, it’s just wine.

Despite his ignorance of his uncle’s death and the inheritance he has received, Nemorino exhibits Dutch courage as a result of his alcoholism. Suddenly, every girl wants to be with him. Who knows if Nemorino will get the girl or not with a couple more twists in the story?

Among the dates and times of Bhekamina’s performances are 20, 22, 30 September, and 27 September at 13:00 at the Breytenbach Theatre, 137 Gerhard Moerdyk Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria.

• Student tickets cost R35, and blocks of ten tickets cost R50.
• The TUT Arts Festival is available on Webtickets (webtickets.co.za).
• Please contact [email protected] if you would like more information about the Breytenbach Theatre