Cape Town Opera (CTO), a key representative of South African performing arts, has officially announced plans for a long-awaited European tour in September 2026.
As part of this tour, the company will present George Gershwin's operatic masterpiece 'Porgy and Bess' in a co-production format, designed to showcase the breadth of South Africa's vocal talent on the international stage.
Director Magdalen Minnar is leading this production, which features a historic collaboration with the London-based Chineke! Orchestra—the first professional orchestra in Europe with a majority of Black and ethnically diverse musicians.
This partnership serves as a significant cultural bridge, uniting outstanding artists from different countries under the direction of Maestro Enrique Mazzola.
The tour is scheduled to begin on September 11, 2026, at the Paris Philharmonie. Following the premiere in France, the company will travel to Switzerland to perform at the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre.
The tour will then continue to Germany, featuring a performance at the historic Musikfest Berlin, followed by a stop at DE SINGEL in Antwerp, concluding at the Konzerthaus Dortmund on September 18.
'Porgy and Bess' will be performed entirely by a Black cast, aligning with the composer's original vision. CTO soloists Nonhlanhla Yende and Siyabulela Ntlalale will take on the lead roles in iconic parts.
They are supported by an impressive ensemble, including CTO soloists Brittany Smith (Clara), Lukahno Moyake (Sportin Life), Konrad Scott (Corona), and Siphamanda Moyake (Serena).
In addition, the production includes choreography by Yaseen Manuel, fight scenes directed by Taylin Ramsby, and costume design by Marita Visagi.
This international project strengthens CTO's long-standing global presence. Since its founding in 1999, the company has served as a cultural beacon for over two decades, representing the diverse identity of South African society.
Many company alumni have successfully built careers in some of Europe's most respected opera houses, making the return of talent particularly significant.
Magdalen Minnar, who is both the production director and Artistic Director of Cape Town Opera, stated: 'We are incredibly proud to bring South African operatic excellence back to Europe.' She added that the tour underscores the company's commitment to demonstrating the immense talent of its artists to a global audience, proving that opera remains a living, universal, and deeply relevant art form.
After completing the European tour, the company will return to the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town to prepare for a busy end-of-year schedule. Upcoming seasons at Artscape include Gounod's 'Romeo and Juliet' in November and the musical 'Oliver!', scheduled for December 2026 and January 2027.