Good news from Dusseldorf – all four singers we supported made it to the semi-finals of the 2014 International Belvedere Singing Competition, following in the footsteps of Pretty Yende as well as Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi and Tsepho Moagi, who have both sung for the Society in opera and/or concert. 

This is no mean achievement for Siyabulela Ntlale, Linda Nteleza, Khanyiso Gwenxane and Owen Metsileng when you consider there were more than 1300 entrants and only 17 semi-finalists but the crowning glory goes to Siya. He took second place with a cash prize, and prizes of offers to sing at Deutsche Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf – Duisburg role and the Theatre in Erfurt as well as the Kirsten Flagstaff Festival prize to sing in Norway. He also won the Olga Warla Kolo Prize of € 500. 

Siya, our wonderful Mamma in Viva la Mamma in 2012 and a singer in the Wagner Society’s gala concert with the CPO and the Verdi Society last year, has a wonderful career ahead of him and we wish him well. He will be appearing for the Society in February.