FNB Pop Opera (previously FNB Starlight Pop Opera) returned to Durban for the 21st year on Saturday 19 October, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and hosted by Bridget Masinga, drawing crowds who defied the rain for a showcase of some of the best homegrown talent, including,18-year-old Empangeni High School pupil Sethabile Hlabangane.
Earning a standing ovation for her performance, Hlabangane, who is an ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SACE) National Champion soloist, joined the likes of multihyphenate musical sensations like Thandiswa Mazwai, Khaya Mthethwa, Mandla Mlangeni, Samantha Leonard and Ruhan du Toit.
Fresh from representing South Africa as a country, and KZN as a province, on their international tour in Dubai and New York, the 30-member Clermont Choir also hit the stage to represent homegrown talent in full force while young and emerging orchestra conductor, violinist, and violist Chevonne Plaatjies also graced the stage.
The full artist lineup for FNB Pop Opera this year, was as follows:
- Thandiswa Mazwai
- Mandla Mlangeni
- Khaya Mthethwa
- Samantha Leonard
- Ruhan du Toit
- Karen Petersen
- Sethabile Hlabangane
- Clermont Choir
- Oleksii Ishchenko
- KZN Philharmonic Orchestra
“Since we started this initiative, our goal has always been clear: bring the community together and showcase homegrown talent among South Africa’s best. Last year, in addition to that, we sought to utilise the gift of music to bring hope to a province ravaged by natural disaster. This year, we continue our legacy and give a platform to both established and emerging artists in KZN and support the province’s creative economy,” says Faye Mfikwe, FNB’s Chief Marketing Officer.
“It’s an honour for FNB to have a hand in showcasing vibrant artists from KZN, and across the country, by giving them the opportunity to share their talents, inspire others, bring the community together and celebrate our cultural diversity,” concludes Mfikwe.
