Inspiration
Opera singer from Kroonstad dreams of opening an opera academy─── ZENANDE MPAME 06:00 Tue, 26 Nov 2024
Acting as a ghost in an opera is not something just anyone can pull off, but a Free State-born opera singer knocked it out of the park at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.
Karabo Rabolai (24) performed the role of Miss Jessel in Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, on Wednesday (20/11) and Friday (22/11).
Miss Jessel is a ghost who appears in the opera and is a former governess to the children in the story. A governess in former times was a woman employed to teach children in a private household.
“I never knew that I would actually study opera; I’ve always been a music child born into a music family,” said Rabolai. “My mother had a choir and has always been a conductor and I think that’s where it all started.
“I was always interested in playing the piano and started playing when I was four years old. In high school, I dislocated my thumbs and couldn’t play at that time, but I was a piano bursary student and that meant I could it.
“That is when I asked my school to participate as a vocal student instead of a piano student to show dedication to the music aspect of my life and that is when the singing started, she said.
Rabolai performing the role of Miss Jessel, a ghost. Photo supplied
After Rabolai completed her Bachelors in Music, specialising in opera, at the University of Cape Town, she is now doing her postgraduate diploma in performance, which is equivalent to doing a master’s, without a dissertation.
The opera singer’s future aspirations are to see herself being part of the Sydney Opera House, among many others. “I know I would also like to have an opera academy in South Africa because I believe it is good to go and attain all the skills you need, perform, and come back and use them at home.”
“I express myself better on the stage and through my art, and I would like to give that opportunity to every young person who doesn’t know about this. I do not want them to struggle and find it so challenging to make their dream happen like I am.”
There is a lot of financial insecurity that comes with being an opera singer, especially in South Africa. There is a lot of uncertainty because there are only so many opportunities for opera singers in the country, she said.
