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Go Deeper Meet the Cast of Macbeth

Meet the Cast of Macbeth

Posted September 20th, 2016

This weekend FringeArts and Opera Philadelphia will present Macbeth as part of the 2016 Fringe Festival. Tonight there will be a panel discussion with members of the cast hosted by Stephanie Renée at the African American Museum of Philadelphia. In anticipation, we thought we’d help you get acquainted with these distinguished performers with these short bios. RSVP for the event here and learn more about this week’s ancillary Macbeth events here.


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Owen Metsileng (photo by Nicky Newman)

Owen Metsileng (Macbeth) was born in 1987 in a village called Manamakgotha in Rustenburg, South Africa. He comes from a musical family and started singing at an early age in church and school choirs. While in secondary school, he was introduced to classical music. He was a member of the Black Tie Ensemble from 2006 to 2008 and joined the Cape Town Opera Studio in 2010. He has sung many roles with the Cape Town Opera, including Le Dancaïre in Carmen, Barone Douphol in La Traviata, Marcello in La Bohème, as well as Jake in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess on a UK Tour. In September 2012, Owen performed in Cape Town Opera’s Gala Concerts with Orchestra Victoria at the Hamer Hall in Melbourne. He also took part in the Belvedere singing competition and was chosen to compete in the finals in Amsterdam in 2014. He has been performing the role of Macbeth in Third World Bunfight’s adaptation since its 2014 premiere.

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Nobulumko Mngxekeza-Nziramasanga (photo by Nicky Newman)

Nobulumko Mngxekeza (Lady Macbeth) was born in Queenstown in 1981. She was introduced to music when she joined her high school choir. In 2001 she enrolled at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music and trained under Virginia Davids, Sidwill Hartman, Marisa Mavchio and Angela Gobatto. In her young career she has performed in Carmen as Micaella, as Bess in Porgy and Bess, as Pamina in Der Zaubeflute, as Anna in Nabucco. She has worked with Isango Ensemble where she performed in the following productions, Impempe Yomlingo (The Magic Flute), Abanxaxhi (La Boheme), Aesop ‘s Fables and Ragged Trouser Philanthropist. Nobulumko has also travelled internationally with various productions for Cape Town Opera where she was previously a Studio Member. She has been performing the role of Lady Macbeth in Third World Bunfight’s adaptation since its 2014 premiere.

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Otto Maidi (photo by Nicky Newman)

Otto Maidi (Banquo), born in 1972 in South Africa, began singing at a tender age of eight in his church’s Sunday school and his school. He studied classical singing at the Pretoria Technikon Opera School under Pierre du Toit and later moved on to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he obtained his Artist Certificate Degree in Vocal Performance under Prof. Barbara Hill-Moore. He has toured throughout the U.S. and Europe and has sang with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the Turtle Creek Chorale, and the Meadows Symphony Orchestra. Previous roles Otto has played include Bonzo in Madama Butterfly, Colline in La Boheme, Peter in Hansel and Gretel, Crown in Porgy & Bess, Olin Blitch in Susannah, Ramfis in Aida, Vodnick in Rusalka, Dulcamara in L’Elisir d’amore and a highly acclaimed Joe in Show Boat. He has been performing the role of Banquo in Third World Bunfight’s adaptation since its 2014 premiere.

Thozama Dyasi (vocal ensemble) was born in 1991. Thozama’s passion has always been singing and music and she decided to pursue this career when she joined the Simon Estes Alumni Choir in 2011, with whom she toured the US that same year. The following year she joined the internationally award winning Isango Ensemble theatre company based in Cape Town. Thozama has performed in the productions of The Magic Flute and Venus and Adonis. In 2014 Thozama joined the Cape Town Opera Company. She was invited to join Macbeth’s vocal ensemble in March 2016

Lunga Hallam (vocal ensemble) is both a professional singer and conductor. His conducting experience includes the Old Mutual National Choir Festival 2014 and 2015, WECCMA Choir Singing completion with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra 2014 and 2015. He has performed in various concerts and productions including L’elisir d’amore, Il viaggo a ReimsLa Bohème, Entführung aus dem Serail, Die tote Stadt, and The Tales of Hoffman to name a few. He has been a member of the vocal ensemble for Macbeth since 2016.

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Thomakazi Holland (photo by Nicky Newman)

Thomakazi Holland (vocal ensemble) was born in King Williams Town, South Africa and started singing at a young age while she attended primary school. Thomakazi was a member of the Isango Portobello Theatre Company from 2007-2010 and took part in their productions of The Magic Flute and A Christmas Carol. In 2013 Thomakazi worked with Cape Town Opera in their productions of Othello and Madame Butterfly. She is an original member of the vocal ensemble for Macbeth and has been performing the role since 2014.

Sandile Kamle (vocal ensemble) was born in Gugulethu, Cape Town. In 1994 he was appointed one of the first members of Cape Town Opera Company. He had his debut as a soloist in Porgy and Bess, performing at the Pretoria State Theatre in 1996. He has toured internationally with various opera companies, in productions of CarmenThe Beggar’s Opera, and many others. In 2006 he directed his first stage show called The Raid. In 2009 he directed his first feature film, From Village to City, and in 2011 he directed his first opera production of G. Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. He is an original member of the vocal ensemble for Macbeth and has been performing the role since 2014.

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Bulelani Madondile (photo by Nicky Newman)

Bulelani Madondile (vocal ensemble) was born in 1978 in Cape Town, South Africa. He started singing at the age of 5 at church and at the age of 7 he became a Sunday school conductor. He has studied under a choral training program through the Cape Town Opera and graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Performer’s Diploma. Bulelani was previously a member of the Isango Portobello company. He is an original member of the vocal ensemble for Macbeth and has been performing the role since 2014.

Jacqueline Manciya (vocal ensemble) was born in 1981 in Cape Town, South Africa. She started singing at an early age in her local church. She has studied under Angelo Gobatto as well as Cape Town Opera’s Choral Training Program. Previously Nolusindiso performed in in Porgy and Bess as Lilly, West Side Story as Anita, Werther as Charlotte, Marriage of Figaro as Marcellina. She is an original member of the vocal ensemble for Macbeth and has been performing the role since 2014.

Monde Masimini (vocal ensemble) was born in King Williams Town and got his start singing in his primary school choir. From 2003-2004 he was a member of Cape Town Opera Studio and in 2005 he was promoted as a Junior Soloist for Cape Town Opera. In 2006-2008 Monde was a member of Black Tie Ensemble. In 2011 he was re-employed as the House Soloist by Cape Town Opera. He is an original member of the vocal ensemble for Macbeth and has been performing the role since 2014.

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