Melissa Gerber hosts Opera Soirée

 

Gerber was born in Pretoria in 1989 and she has been singing up a storm since 2003, participating in the Pretoria Eisteddfod and other local singing competitions. After matriculating, she decided to pursue a BMus degree in Performing Art under the guidance of Hanli Stapela at the University of Pretoria. Since her undergraduate years, Gerber has blazed a trail, performing as a soloist with various ensembles and orchestras such as the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra, the Pretoria Male Choir, the Pretoria Bach Choir, the Johannesburg Bach Choir, Singkronies Chamber Choir and Armonia Chamber Singers. Most recently together with Misha Meyer, Melissa performed at the Annual Wakkerstroom Music Festival in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga.

 

Joined by friends

 

For this Opera Soirée fundraiser, various friends will be joining Melissa onstage including; 2010 Mimi Coertse Vocal Scholarship Winner baritone Christopher Vale, tenor Themba Maseko, and Gauteng Opera members mezzo-sopranos Annemarie Steenkamp and Claudia Pike. Misha Meyer will be accompanying the singers on piano.

 

 

The programme features of a selection of the most beautiful arias, duets and other ensemble items from famous operas. Audiences can look forward to opera favourites such as the Flower duet from Delibes’ opera Lakmé, and the Letter duet from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, notably featured in Frank Darapont’s film The Shawshank Redemption. Other items on the programme include highlights from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Bernstein’s Candide and Verdi’s La traviata.

 

Opera Soirée will take place on Sunday afternoon, 18 May at 3pm in the Musaion at the University of Pretoria. Pre-booked and paid tickets are available from www.melissagerber.co.za for R120 per person, or may be purchased on the day at the door for R150. Wine will be served.

 

For enquiries, email melissa.gerber@icloud.com or call 0845552101.