Rising Stars

Three to look out for…

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha Soprano

Born: Johannesburg, South Africa

Career highlight: Winning the UNISA International Voice Competition in 2018 and being asked by the Royal Opera House to cover in my favourite opera, Verdi’s La forza del destino. During the latter I was able to perform and work alongside one of my idols, soprano Anna Netrebko.

Musical hero: Soprano Jessye Norman’s singing is extraordinary, but she’s also intelligent and humble, which are the most important qualities that every singer should have to succeed in this industry.

Dream concert: To perform in Verdi’s Requiem at the BBC Proms or in Aida at one of the big opera houses.

David Fung Pianist

Born: Hong Kong

Career highlight: Performing one of my all-time favourite Mozart concertos (No. 21) with the Cleveland Orchestra, one of the finest Mozart orchestras in the world. Musical hero: Pianist Myra Hess risked life and limb to continue hosting fundraising concerts for the Musicians Benevolent Fund during the War.

Dream concert: Playing a Mozart concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic with Mozart himself at the podium! I have performed all the concertos and have so many questions about how Mozart might have played them, especially if he were to hear our modern grand pianos.

Filipe Manu Tenor

Born: Armidale, Australia Career highlight: While on the opera course at the Guildhall, I was selected to join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House. I’m now preparing my first role with the company as Hippolyt in Henze’s Phaedra this season.

Musical hero: Dame Malvina Major is so supportive of Kiwi singers (of which I am one) and is one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve been taught by.

Dream concert: I would love to perform in a fully staged opera in Tonga. To my knowledge, there has never been a full-scale performance there, and I know they’d love it!