Sandra Prinsloo showcased her decades of stage expertise in Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning theatre production, Masterclass on 7 October at the Adam Small Auditorium in Stellenbosch, as part of the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees.
Prinsloo drew a packed house in her portrayal of the commanding role of Maria Callas, the legendary soprano who retired and now presents an elite masterclass for students wanting to perfect their voices.
Throughout the 120-minute running time, the audience experienced all the heartache Callas endured throughout her life, the fame she had given up for unrequited love, and how she ultimately came to present the classes. Callas lives vicariously through her students in the hopes that they do not make the same mistakes she once did.
Prinsloo engages with the audience, seamlessly transforming the entire auditorium into her classroom.
Although stern and commanding on the outside, Sandra Prinsloo (pictured above) delves deeper within the character of Maria Callas, highlighting the heartbreak she endured, and the unrequited love she once had during her performance in Masterclass on 7 October at the Toyota SU Woordfees. PHOTO: Supplied/Annène van Eeden
Opera students
Sophia, portrayed by Alida Scheepers, enters as the first student of the day, hoping to receive mentoring from Callas.
The students, Sharon and Tony are played by Siphamandla Moyake, Tylor Lamani respectively. They are all members from Cape Town Opera providing an authentic opera experience to the audience.
Scheepers, a new addition to Cape Town Opera, enchants the audience with her angelic voice. As Callas guides Sophia in her singing, the audience is presented with a glimpse into the life Callas once had on the world’s opera stages.
The critiques of the students’ voices offered by Callas are often profound observations that are not only relevant to the characters on stage but also serve as a meaningful message that the audience can carry with them.
Accompanying each performer on the piano is José Dias, who plays Manny. He effortlessly navigates intricate piano pieces, while remaining humorous in his submissive character.
Sandra Prinsloo (pictured above) portraying Maria Callas, a retired opera singer who started an elite masterclass for students wanting to perfect their voices in Masterclass on 7 October at the Toyota SU Woordfees. PHOTO: Supplied/Annène van Eeden
Amplified through lighting
While the stage design was simple, consisting of a piano, a desk and a chair, the story gained depth through the use of lighting and a projector. The projector artfully displayed black and white snippets of a Spanish ballroom, as Callas reminisced about her youthful days.
During a breakthrough moment of a student, spotlights shine on the character, blacking out the rest of the stage behind them. This immersive effect isolates the audience with the student, who sings not just to seek the approval of Callas but that of the audience as well.
- The final performance of Masterclass is on 10 October at 15:00.