SOWETO OPERA QUADRO

Based in Johannesburg

Soweto Opera Quadro was established in 2003 by a group of musicians from Soweto and surrounds. The vocal quartet works in partnership with Classic FM.

Soweto Opera Quadro's repertoire includes Classic, Opera, Classical Jazz and so-called African Jazz Opera, Christmas music, and more! The group has enjoyed good exposure and publicity through the many festival and concert performances, as well as appearances at shopping malls, schools, television (a.o. on "Weekend Live" and "Kids News"), radio (a.o. Classic FM and Lisedi FM), magazines and newspapers.

THE MEMBERS:

EDWARD MABUNDA
Born in Soweto and started singing at an early age, He sings Tenor and joined a private music clinic and did basic performing art where he majored with voice and stage acting under Petros Mofokeng. Edward sings in variety of music genres from traditional African music to opera. He joined Promusica Opera Company as under study in 1999 and performed Opera productions such as Verdi’s Latraviata, Regoletto, Unballo in machara, Beethoven sympony no 9, Madama butterfly, Tosca, Laboheme, Le nozze di Figaro, Mahler’s symphony no 2, Gounod st Cecilia mass, Requiem and also part of chorus celebrating Promusica Theatre and silver jubilee concert. He played a role of First man in Armoured and first priest (Magic flute Opera) as his debut as a soloist for the Promusica opera company under Weiss Doubel. He is also a freelance soloist for SABC choristers where he recorded a CD with them, and also recorded a movie sound track as a lead singer with London Film production a movie called Red Dust. He performed Opera concerts around South Africa and toured Botswana, Zimbabwe and Germany. He is a founder member of Soweto opera quadro.

ELLIOT KOENA
Elliot is a tenor singer and started singing at primary school and later joined private clinic under Petros Mofokeng a vocal teacher. He was auditioned by Promusica Opera company where he performed opera productions such as Regoletto, Unballo in maschara, Tosca, Beethoven symphony no 9  with them. He did concerts for SAPs choir as a soloists and toured Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. He performed with Soweto symphony Orchestra concerts and performed at the opening of Gomma gomma awards at Sun city 2004. He is permanent member of Soweto opera quadro.

BOKANG SEHAU
Bokang is a tenor singer and studied basic theory and voice at Fuba School of music in Johannesburg. He has performed for school projects and did solo concerts with them. He also did concerts with Soweto symphony Orchestra and toured South Africa with them. He was invited to perform at the opening of legislature in Johannesburg. Bokang is a freelancer with SABC choristers and recorded a cd with them, also perform at Rand water choral festival as a soloist. He toured Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

XOLA MPOLA
Born in Cape Town and sing baritone, he studied for a performer’s diploma in opera music at the South African college of music. He did opera productions such as Iltrovatore, Barber of Seville, laboheme and later joined University of Cape Town where he majored with stage production and voice productions under Professor Angelo Gobbato. While in Cape Town he performed baritone roles in operas such as Romeo and Juliet, Cossi fun tutti and many more operas and did concerts with Philharmonic orchestra as a soloist. He later moved to Johannesburg and performed at Mass choir festival 2003-2004 under Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo and Richard Cock. He became a member of Black tie ensemble where he performed major roles with them. His experience in music landed him positions in adjudicating choral competitions. He is a full time member of Soweto opera quadro.

SOWETO OPERA QUADRO BAND
SOQ BAND is an afro-centric band which consists of keyboard, drums, percussions,guitar, bass guitar, piano and violin. The idea was to introduce a combination of various African music and classical music elements from acoustic guiters, djembe drums, violin and opera voices together kept live and unplugged. Quadro is blessed with creative musicians and compose home brewed quality sounds based on their experience, talents and emotions.

SOWETO OPERA QUADRO HAS PERFORMED: