Pretty Yende: A Journey from Small Town to Opera World

by
1 min read
pretty yende opera

Pretty Yende’s story is an inspiring tale of perseverance and talent. Growing up in a small town in South Africa, Yende discovered her passion for singing at a young age.

Pivotal Time at UCT Opera School

At 16, she auditioned for the UCT Opera Studio but did not initially meet the admission requirements. However, the head of vocal studies Virginia Davids and Emeritus Professor Angelo Gobbato recognized her exceptional talent and potential and offered her a place in the UCT Opera School.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Yende’s time at UCT proved to be a turning point in her career. She received rigorous training in vocal performance, stagecraft, and musical theory, and had opportunities to perform in productions and competitions that helped refine her artistry.

Pursuing Her Dream

After graduating from UCT, Yende won a bursary to study at the opera school at La Scala in Milan, Italy. She had the chance to perform with some of the world’s most renowned singers and conductors, further honing her skills and gaining valuable experience.

In 2013, Yende made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, receiving critical acclaim for her performance in Rossini’s Le Comte Ory. She has since performed at leading opera houses in Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, and Paris, receiving numerous awards and accolades for her performances.

Humble and Passionate Advocate

Despite her success, Yende remains humble and grateful for the opportunities she has been given. She is also a passionate advocate for music education and supporting young musicians. She has worked with organizations like the South African National Youth Orchestra and the South African Music Performance Rights Association to nurture the talent of the next generation of musicians.

Transformative Power of Education

Pretty Yende’s journey from UCT to the world’s most prestigious stages is a testament to the transformative power of education and nurturing young talent. As Yende continues to amaze audiences worldwide, UCT can be proud to have played a role in shaping the career of one of the world’s most celebrated sopranos.

Tags:

You might be interested in

Environmentalist and Outdoor Enthusiast. Amanda is a nature-loving, energetic, and enthusiastic environmentalist who has dedicated her life to exploring and protecting Cape Town's stunning natural landscapes. She is an experienced hiker, wildlife enthusiast, and advocate for sustainable tourism.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

running age
Previous Story

Running Beyond Age: The Inspiring Story of Ouma Annatjie Berntzen

gauteng department of roads
Next Story

Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport Addresses Payment Delays Experienced by Putco Bus Company

Latest from Blog

{"tags": ["South Africa" "National Assembly"

Forging a Path to Enhanced Executive Oversight

South Africa is making big changes to keep a close eye on its top leaders! They made a new special committee in their parliament to watch the President. This committee will make sure the President and their office are doing things right and spending money wisely. They looked at how other countries do this to learn the best ways. This means more openness and trust, making sure everyone in power is held accountable to the people.

Cape Town Sporting Events

Cape Town’s Unmissable Weekend of Sporting Action

Cape Town is bursting with sports action from December 5th to 7th, 2025! You can cheer for the Proteas Women’s cricket team at Newlands against Ireland. Then, get ready for super exciting rugby sevens at DHL Stadium with the SVNS Cape Town tournament. And don’t miss Cape Town City FC playing football at Athlone Stadium. It’s a weekend full of thrills and fun for everyone!

South African cheese World Cheese Awards

South Africa Shines on the Global Cheese Stage

South African cheesemakers dazzled at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland! They won many shiny medals, including two top Super Gold awards for Klein River Cheese’s Babylonstoren Parmesan and Dalewood Fromage’s Boland cheese. Nellie Fischer was even named the Best Female Cheesemaker. This big win makes South Africa super proud and shows their amazing cheese is now famous all over the world!

Mozambique South Africa

Renewing the Mozambique-South Africa Partnership: Highlights from the 4th Bi-National Commission

Mozambique and South Africa just held their 4th big meeting, the BiNational Commission, in Maputo. Their leaders, Presidents Ramaphosa and Chapo, met to make their countries even closer friends. They talked about important things like making their economies stronger, keeping everyone safe, and helping people thrive. This meeting helps them work together on many projects, from big gas plants to fighting sickness, making life better for everyone in both countries.

South Africa Mozambique

Deepening South Africa-Mozambique Ties: Progress and Prospects from the Fourth Bi-National Commission

South Africa and Mozambique are like old friends, working together to make things better. They talk a lot about how to help each other, especially with money, jobs, and safety. They remember their shared past of fighting for freedom, which makes their bond super strong. Now, they’re building roads, sharing power, and helping each other stay healthy and safe. This teamwork helps both countries grow and makes the whole neighborhood stronger.