April 30, 2009
By J Brooks Spector
PRINCESS MAGOGO KADINIZULU
COMPOSER: Mzilikazi Khumalo
ARRANGER/ADDITIONAL MUSIC: Michael Hankinson
LIBRETTO: Themba Msimang
COMPANY: Opera Africa
DIRECTOR: Themi Venturas
CONDUCTOR: Vincent de Kort and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
DESIGNER: Andrew Verster
WHERE: The Mandela at the Joburg Theatre
WHEN: Tonight at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm
RATING: ****
The opera, Princess Magogo, is based on the life of the woman who helped revive the fortunes of the Zulu nation with her music in the hard years after the Bhambatha Rebellion.
But, is there irony in the fact that as Princess Magogo was about to open at The Joburg Theatre, a very different "theatrical event" was taking place at Luthuli House? If Princess Magogo speaks of history from the hilltop of the royal household, Luthuli House showcased accolades to an almost archetypical commoner as he prepares to become the new president.
For one there is the soundtrack of Umshini wam. For the other, there is an operatic score that draws from traditional music, songs composed by the actual historical Princess Constance Magogo kaDinizulu - and the conventions of grand opera.
This new version of Princess Magogo has been substantially reworked from the opera that premiered a half decade earlier. This reworking has made it a stronger, more vigorous work. It dramatically conveys Magogo's struggles between love and fealty to family duty.
She must foreswear her lover, Ndwandwe (Timothy Matlala), so an arranged marriage can seal an agreement that brings together the discordant Zulu clans. Then, her father, King Dinizulu, orders her to become a kind of ultimate "cultural weapon" - she must collect the stories, the histories and the music that will give her nation back its dignity.
Tina Mene and Thembisile Twala are well paired as the aged and the younger Princess Magogo, and Twala has a truly affecting love song, sung to the man she must ultimately surrender to. Otto Maidi delivers a regal King Dinuzulu, while Ayanda Hlongwa stands out as praise singer and adviser, the Inkosi Mankulumana. Kelebogile Boikanyo sparkles as Queen Silomo, and Righard Linde is polished as Colonel Duncan McKenzie.
In fact, this entire youthful cast, including a well-drilled chorus and very energetic dancers, fairly shines throughout this production. Director Themi Venturas and conductor Vincent de Kort guide the whole production with a clear, unified vision.
Mzilikazi Khumalo has said that he composes so that in their Valhalla… "the thousands can sing, they can dance and they can celebrate". He has succeeded.
Princess Magogo demonstrates that South Africa holds great dramatic stories that can be worthy inspirations for operatic works - can we some day look forward to operas on such stories, among others, as the tragedy of Saartjie Baartman or the drama of the Treason Trial?
  
 
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