A 'township' girl who is becoming an international opera singer, unbelievable but true. The South African Pumeza Matshikiza lived with her divorced mother and brothers in various townships where crime, violence and poverty reigned. One day she happened to hear Edith Mathis play a Mozart aria on the radio and the beauty of the music enchanted her. She developed by listening to a lot of radio, singing
… in church choirs and following a singing study in Cape Town, but the possibilities in her own country remained limited. South African composer Kevin Volans recognized her talent and bought her a plane ticket to London so that she could audition at the Royal College of Music. She was accepted and awarded a grant. The promising lyric soprano has already performed several opera roles and has a contract with the Stuttgart Opera. For her debut album on the Decca label, Pumeza opted for a crossover record, on which, in addition to a few opera arias, she especially honors her South African heritage by singing songs in Xhosa, Zulu and Swahili. Some of those songs are made famous by the legendary Miriam Makeba. Pumeza's warm voice and subtle orchestral accompaniment make Voice Of Hope an atmospheric listening album for a wide audience. (SvdP) Some of those songs are made famous by the legendary Miriam Makeba. Pumeza's warm voice and subtle orchestral accompaniment make Voice Of Hope an atmospheric listening album for a wide audience. (SvdP) Some of those songs are made famous by the legendary Miriam Makeba. Pumeza's warm voice and subtle orchestral accompaniment make Voice Of Hope an atmospheric listening album for a wide audience. (SvdP)more
