About
The exciting young South African soprano, Zanne Stapelberg began her operatic training at the Conservatoire of the University of Stellenbosch (with Magdalena Oosthuizen) and graduated in 1998 with a Degree in Music & English Literature.
This renowned University also awarded her a bursary for Academic Achievement and numerous prestigious Singing Bursaries. In 1999 she obtained her Higher Licentiate in Musical Performance [Cum Laude]. In 2000 Zanne became a member of the Cape Town Opera Studio.
In 2001 Zanne received the coveted “Best Young Opera Singer” Award from the Cape Town Friends of the Opera adding to her swift rise as one of the most sought after artists on the South African Opera circuit.
She has graced the stage in the roles of Angelica in Suor Angelica, Nella in Gianni Schicchi, Mimi in La Bohéme, Ilia in Mozart’s Idomeneo and Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflőte, a role she subsequently reprised for the prestigious Spier opera Festival.
Other performances include Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn’s Die Schőpfung, Mozart’s Dixit Dominus,
Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Dvorak’s Requiem, Carla in William Kentridge’s European tour of his performance art piece, Confessions of Zeno, composed by Kevin Volans as well as the starring role in the highly successful Aqua Opera at the V&A Waterfront in 2003 and 2004.
At the behest of acclaimed South African composer Hendrik Hofmeyr, she sang the solo in the South African premiere of his award winning work, Byzantium for Soprano & Orchestra, as well as the highly dramatic, “The Death of Cleopatra”. Zanne has also performed a multitude of his song-cycles. One of them, “Die Stil Avontuur”, comprising settings of the doyen of South African poetry, Elizabeth Eybers, composed for Zanne’s voice. They are currently in the process of recording.
Zanne’s operatic performances have been met with sensational critical acclaim and established her as one of South Africa’s most exhilarating voices. Highlights include her portrayal of Marguerite in Cape Town Opera’s innovative production of Gounod’s Faust, the title role in Handel’s Alcina and Rosalinda in Strauss’s popular operetta, Die Fledermaus, as well as “Bravo! A Night at the Opera” at the Durban Playhouse. In 2004 she appeared in Cape Town City Ballet’s electrifying sold out season of Queen at the Ballet and, due to popular demand, again in 2005 and 2006.