The Grand Ole Opera

South Africa has a venerable choral music tradition. But opera? In fact, opera has become woven into that country’s cultural life thanks to Dimpho Di Kopane, the Capetown-based lyric theatre company. The troupe makes its New York debut this month with new native-music approaches to “Carmen,” “The Beggar's Opera,” and other operas (many sung in Xhosa and Zulu). Today we’re treated to a live performance from the company. Speaking of unusual approaches to opera, a new guidebook to opera recordings by New York Times chief classical music critic Anthony Tommasini is making waves in the music world. While the new tome features plenty of chestnuts by Puccini, Verdi, and Wagner, Tommasini also devotes space to many 20th-century composers, from Britten to Weill, Busoni to Weir. He joins us to share some favorites.
Additional Resources:
» More about The New York Times Essential Library
» Dimpho Di Kopane Web site