media release // for immediate release

During the past two years BTE VO1SS requested patrons to be part of the change, on 11 October 2013, The Black Tie Ensemble Vocal Opera One (1) Stop Shop will change to Gauteng Opera with its official launch taking place at the Verdi Opera Gala in the Linder Auditorium. The trust, The Black Tie Ensemble Trust will still be active but the trading name of the company will change to Gauteng Opera.

For the past three years The Black Tie Ensemble went through challenging times, first by facing closure in December 2011, and then evolved into BTE VO1SS. Now the company has grown to maturity and Gauteng will have its own Opera Company, GAUTENG OPERA.

GAUTENG OPERA will be headed by Chief Executive Officer, Marcus Desando, and Chief Operating Officer, Arnold Cloete, Executive Assistant, Madeleen Engelbrecht and Partnerships Officer, Audrey Mekgwe. The head of music for the Gauteng Opera Academy will be Susan Steenkamp.

“This is very exciting times for Opera in South Africa, with the world noticing the opera artists of this country the time has come for all South Africans to experience to joy of opera! Opera is still seen as the art-form that embraces all disciplines and which will forever touch the soul”, says Marcus Desando the new CEO of Gauteng Opera.Gauteng Opera’s commits to create Opera for Everyone!

Click here to download programme (PDF)
Click here to download the cast (PDF)

Join us on 11 October

at the Linder Auditorium for the official launch of

GAUTENG OPERA – Opera for Everyone! Tickets for the Verdi Opera Gala is available from Computicket.

The Verdi Opera Gala is proudly funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

Issued for BTE VO1SS by Madeleen Engelbrecht on 9 September 2026 Enquiries: Madeleen Engelbrecht at 012-322 7944 or 084 2093161