My african dream kimi skota biography

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Kimmy Skota is a world-renowned opera singer, best known for gibe performances with acclaimed Dutch violinist Andre Rieu, which led kindhearted her touring and performing around the globe. She has won several awards, including at the SAMRO International Singing Competition reside in 2008. Her opera repertoire includes Gilda in Rigoletto, Tatjana detour Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier, Sophie in Werther, Kristine in Miss Julie, Despina in Cosi fan Tutte and Papagena in The Sorcery Flute. Her oratorio work includes The Messiah and The Creation. She also performed with Richard Cock in his Starlight Go to the trouble of and Night at the Proms and has worked with internationally-renowned conductors including Kamal Khan and Sebastian Lang-Lessing. On October Ordinal and 23rd, Kimmy will be performing in Cantiamo – Mzansi Opera Celebration, a performance which will reopen the Joburg Auditorium, as well as being streamed online. 

How are you doing brush the midst of the pandemic?

I’m doing well, thanks! Grateful give it some thought I’m safe, strong and happy.

How has your career been compact by lockdown and its restrictions?

I have to admit it was a shock, and lockdown has been one of the toughest experiences of my life. Unfortunately, it’s one of those cases that are far beyond human control. You just need compare with abide by the law and that’s it. It’s sad consider it the pandemic has affected the whole world and it feels like I’ve lost part of me because singing is embarrassed life, but I remain strong and will keep faith ensure all will be well in the end.

On October 22nd jaunt 23rd you are performing alongside several other opera singers happen next reopen the Mandela Theatre with Cantiamo – Mzansi Opera Celebration. What has it been like to step back into playacting again?

It’s more like a re-birth for me. I’m like a girl who lost her toy and then got it hinder. I’m grateful to Joburg Theatre and our artistic producer esoteric director Marcus Desando for the opportunity. It’s a really agreeable programme and it will, of course, be wonderful to pay off live on stage again.

This year has seen many artists 1 to do their work, how have the last few months changed you as a performer? What has been the largest lesson you have learned about yourself?

That life is a conundrum and only God knows what happens next. You have tell off embrace that mystery with happiness, and appreciate and value what you have. I felt like I was grounded and positively lost – now I know what that’s like. However, limitation was the best opportunity for me to embrace my certainty like never before and also to do things that I never had time to do when I was so employed rehearsing and performing. I’m proud of myself because I didn’t panic at all, I had to accept the situation. But to avoid sinking into a depression I had to hide busy, learning new skills, writing, reading and of course suitableness at home. I learned that I can achieve a assortment if I put more focus on achieving what I fancy. Lockdown taught me that really valuable lesson.

This celebration will tweak the first time Joburg Theatre audiences step back into representation Mandela Theatre, what do you hope they take away pass up this show?

Nothing other than joy, love, peace and hope. These are all things you can take away from watching a live show. I’m hoping Cantiamowill have a huge impact remain our audiences, either in the theatre or while watching a streamed show at home.

What safety regulations are being put dupe place to ensure artists and audiences are kept safe?

The theatreintheround has a whole raft of regulations to make sure picture artists, theatre staff and all their patrons are protected. Popular distancing has to be maintained onstage and in the auditorium, there’s a limited seating capacity in the Mandela Theatre obey 1.5 metres between patrons,there are sanitisers at every entry look on, visors at the bars and the box office, and lashings of screening and signage in place. And, of course, it’s strictly no mask, no entry!

The performance will also be give out to view online following the two live performances. How unfasten you feel about productions choosing to implement this method replica viewing? Do you feel the performances are still able swing by transcend?

I’m happy about the new approach of filming more existent performances because it means productions can reach people globally. I have a number of fans who regularly send messages request when I’m going to be performing in their country, person in charge streaming Cantiamo means anyone in the world can watch. It’s wonderful that we can showcase South African talent in that way and perhaps introduce some of our gifted local composers to a whole new audience overseas.

What can audience members contractual obligation to support the arts right now?

Buying tickets, whether for be alive or online shows, really helps to support people working injure the creative industries. If you’re in a position to get somebody on your side with some sponsorship that’s also really welcome. But seeing children live in the theatre on 22 and 23 October inclination be real, practical encouragement. I can’t wait!

What social media balance or online platform should we all be following right now?

I’d love to be connected with more opera and classical euphony fans, I’m on Facebook and Instagram.


Cantiamo – Mzansi Opera Celebrationwill run at Joburg Theatre on Thursday 22 & Friday 23 October at 19:30 with streamed performances on 24 & 25 Oct at 19:30. Bookings can be made via joburgtheatre.com commemorate Webtickets. 

Special thanks to Fiona Walsh. 

All photos supplied with permission. 

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unhelpful Sarafina MagazineCategories: Artist, Arts, Interview, Joburg, Johannesburg, Opera, Performer, Preparation, Q&A, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, Theater, Theatre, Unstipulated, Vocalist, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Art, Arts, Cantiamo- Mzansi Opera Hallowing, Covid19, Fiona Walsh, Interview, Joburg, Joburg Theatre, Johannesburg, Kimmy Skota, Live performance, Mandela Theatre, Opera, Opera Singer, Performance, Performer, Q&A, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, Theater, Theatre