LINETTE VAN DER MERWE - Mezzo-soprano
Linette van der Merwe studied singing as part of her graduate studies at the University of Pretoria under Lize Thomas (today head of the Tshwane University of Technology’s Opera School). Linette made her debut in 1999 as mezzo soloist with the Bach Choir of Johannesburg and the National Symphony Orchestra in a performance of the Messiah (Handel). Since 1999 Emma Renzi acts as her vocal coach. She performs regularly with Opera Africa, Pro Musica and Salon Music. She has also been seen at the Klein Karoo Arts Fesitval since 2002 in various productions. She is regularly asked to perform in oratorio and has sung the Rossini Stabat Mater, Bach’s Weinachts Oratorium, amongst other works. Linette is frequently performing in various productions on request. In 2002 she sang the role of Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti), in 2004 the role of Flora Bervoix in La Traviata (Verdi) for Opera Africa, and in 2005 Giovanna in Rigoletto (Verdi).
