Operatunity
Anelisa Mahlungulu – Soprano
Anelisa Mahlungulu is a 26-year-old soprano born in Willowvale (kuGatyanye), Mpozolo Village in the Eastern Cape. She began her schooling there and relocated to Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek in Cape Town in 2007. She attended Ukhanyo Primary School (Grade 9) and later Masiphumelele High School until mid-2014 (Grade 10). Her talent was recognised while performing solo at the Artscape Theatre, leading to her acceptance into Wynberg Girls’ High School to study music in Grade 10. She was awarded scholarships from Konica Minolta and Waltons (both Bidvest companies) to support her education. In 2014, she began formal voice and piano lessons, joined the school choir, and was selected for the Vocal Ensemble.
Xolane Marman – Lyric Tenor
Xolane Marman is a South African lyric tenor known for his expressive voice and strong stage presence. He began his vocal journey with a Gold Certificate at the Knysna/Plett Eisteddfod and toured the UK in 2007 after a UK Lottery-funded recording project. He studied at the University of Cape Town under Patrick Tikolo, earning a Performer’s Diploma in Opera and a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance. In 2016, he was selected among the Top 30 singers for the prestigious Deborah Voigt International Vocal Competition in Florida, USA. His stage credits include roles in La Traviata, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte, and Dialogues of the Carmelites, performing with Cape Town Opera and UCT. Xolane continues to bring compelling performances to both local and international audiences.
David Lubbe: Vocal Coach and Accompanist (UCT Opera)
David Lubbe is a dexterous piano accompanist and vocal coach who studied piano performance at Stellenbosch University. He is an active accompanist across Cape Town and collaborates with many vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles across various musical genres. David has a passion for South African works and recent projects include the first ever isiXhosa Requiem written by Litha Jali and Mzilikazi Khumalo’s Oratorio “uShaka”.
