Cape Town Opera to tour Europe with ‘Porgy and Bess’ in 2026

Cape Town Opera will embark on a European tour in September 2026, performing George Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ in collaboration with London’s Chineke! Orchestra. The production, directed by Magdalene Minnaar and conducted by Enrique Mazzola, offers a unique South African perspective by setting the story in the Soweto townships during the 1970s.

The tour will feature a semi-staged concert format across five cities: Paris, Lucerne, Berlin, Antwerp, and Dortmund. The cast includes Siyabulela Ntlale and Nonhlanhla Yende in the title roles. Due to high demand, tickets for performances in Paris, Antwerp, and Dortmund have already sold out, leading to waiting lists in those locations.

This collaboration highlights the partnership between the South African ensemble and the ethnically diverse Chineke! Orchestra. Following the tour, Cape Town Opera will return to South Africa for productions of ‘Roméo et Juliette’ and ‘Oliver!’ later in 2026.