A blank piece of white paper on a red seat in a dimly lit room.

Experience the artistry of Masabane and her creative joy …

‘The South African soprano, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, oozed star quality, effortlessly producing a large, lustrous tone which filled the hall, while superbly floating her high notes.’

Bachtrack



MASABANE

Review on Countess in Le Nozze Di Figaro / Royal Opera House

“South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha is the heart and soul of this latest revival in her role debut as the Countess. The elegance of her singing is only matched by the emotional depth she imputes to Lorenzo Da Ponte’s libretto. When she takes the stage to lament the Count’s philandering ways in “Dove sono i bei momenti”, you could hear a pin drop in Bow, never mind Bow Street.”

Broadwayworld, June 2026

Masabane

Forthcoming performances:

Masabane said ” I am looking forward to being with the Gürzenich-Orchestra in Cologne –it has such a rich history founded in 1827 by the Concert Society of Cologne. The heritage of outstanding works of the Romantic repertoire by Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss, and Gustav Mahler have been premiered by the Gürzenich-Orchestra.”

” I am also going to enjoy performing in Sevilla. It will be my first time performing in beautiful Spain. The performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem, will be conducted by Lucas Macíain and working with him will be an amazing joy, as he is such a prominent Spanish conductor and former world-class oboist. I now realise that he serves not only as the Chief Conductor of the Real Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla, but the Oviedo Filarmonía, while also acting as the Artistic Director of the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada. I am so fortunate that the maestro will lead . I’m sure his vision for the piece will bring Verdi’s intentions to life.”

Verdi’s masterpiece is a celebrated Requiem, one of the most dramatic works of the genre. Written to mark the death of Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni, Verdi’s Requiem starts and ends with a whisper, but the grief, surprise, violence, and joy create all the power and craft of an Italian Romantic opera in one condensed, emotional narrative.

In November , Masabane heads to the United States of America again, following her debut in the New York Met last October to fantastic reviews she is so looking forward to Detroit: Masabane says ” These performances will both mark my debut with Detroit Opera and my worldwide role debut as Floria Tosca. I am also looking forward to the share the stage with tenor Nathan Granner as Mario Cavaradossi and bass-baritone Alfred Walker as the villainous Scarpia. It is very exciting .”

The Detroit Opera (formerly Michigan Opera Theatre) enjoys producing Giacomo Puccini’s tragic masterpiece Tosca at the Detroit Opera House.  Floria Tosca a celebrated, fiercely religious, and deeply passionate Roman opera singer. Mario Cavaradossi: A liberal, revolutionary painter and Tosca’s devoted lover. Baron Scarpia: The ruthless, corrupt, and malevolent Chief of Police who uses manipulation and fear to achieve his goals. Originally set in Rome in June 1800 amidst the political turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars. This production centers on the theme of “faith” and reimagines the classic psychological thriller by moving the setting from 1800s Rome to 1930s fascist Italy.

FROM LONDON IN THE SUMMER AT THE ROYAL BALLET & OPERA

Masabane said ” I really enjoyed the role of Contessa d’Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro at the Royal Ballet & Opera, and previously with my friends at the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Until I was told by my Team I had not realised I was making history as the first Black person to perform the role on the Covent Garden stage.”

Roy Thomas has known Masabane since her performances in St George’s Church consistently in the Choir there, and then in a charitable concert in aid of sick children this was in Parktown Johannesburg in her early 20s . He said ” From the first time you meet her you know she is special. Then you encounter her voice: it was always sublime from her early days.” He adds referencing recent reviews:

“Critics praise her elegant, emotionally profound performance, particularly in her rendition of “Dove sono i bei momenti”, establishing her as the soul of the production. Her performance of the famous Act III aria, “Dove sono i bei momenti,” was universally acclaimed as the production’s emotional peak. A reviewer for Broadway World remarked that “you could hear a pin drop” in the theater during her performance, calling the emotional depth she brought to the libretto unparalleled.” Critics from The Stage hailed her as “vocally outstanding”.

Roy Thomas adds:

“Audiences continue to adore her. From the day I fist heard her sing an aria, I knew she would change the world of opera because of her unique voice. Evidence her master class with the great conductor and maestro, Sir Antonio Pappano in October 2020, when he famously praised her exceptional talent during the session, noting that her “vocal mastery” left him virtually nothing to teach. It was streamed from the stage of the Royal Opera House’s a digital masterclass series showcasing young talent from the Jette Parker programme.

Time and time again she gets excellent reviews which continue her relentless journey to perfection and her ever increasing repertoire.

Roy Thomas says “I witnessed the love for her in New York in October 2025 , her debut season at the Met, with her fans around her and all her supporters wanting selfies. Others emerging from the stage door, were in dressed in their impressive finery.

Masabane was in her flip flops and leggings after her performance in Turandot. An eye infection from make up brushes had troubled her that night. But she had time for everyone. She was mobbed at stage door. ”

Sir Antonio Pappano conducting with Masabane

Eager to get to her apartment to attend to her son Sisanda Mololoko , with her husband Mvano Mgam watching over him and always by her side. Thomas added ” You see she is from Limpopo always humble, her role as mother , in real life, with her family, is important to Masabane, as she travels the world conquering hearts and minds. “

“Her love of music and engagement with people continues unabated.

Reviews as for the role as Contessa d’Almaviva. Masabane first explored the Contessa in semi-staged performances with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal :

A Bleak, Long-suffering Countess: ” Rangwanasha portrays a deeply melancholy and dignified Countess, worn down by the Count’s infidelity.”
Outstanding Nuance: “Her voice is noted for its beautiful, soaring soprano that perfectly conveys the emotional isolation and heartbreak of the role.”
Vocal Approach: Reviewers note she approaches the role with elegance and restraint, prioritising emotional depth in her phrasing.

Masabane is a star with an excellent fellow cast in Sir David McVicar’s beloved production, conducted by Bertrand de Billy, having recently made her role debut as the Contessa in semi-staged performances with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (cond. Rafael Payare).

This has been a momentous season for Masabane so far, marked by several important debut and return performances. Rangwanasha made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Liù in Puccini’s Turandot, a role which she also reprised for the Royal Opera House. On the concert platform, she appeared in a special gala concert to mark the opening of the G20 summit, and made debuts with the LA Philharmonic in Mahler Symphony No.4 (cond. Elim Chan), the London Philharmonic in Vaughan Williams’s Sea Symphony (cond. Sir Mark Elder), and the Philharmonia Orchestra in Strauss Vier Letzte Lieder (cond. Thomas Søndergård), amongst others.

LONDON, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, December 2025

Message from Masabane Cecilia at Christmas:

“As we head for Christmas, this year of 2025, has been wonderful not only on the stage which I love but with my family. I am at one of my operatic homes. My first, in terms of a cathedral of opera, the Royal Opera House, Covenant Garden, for Turandot. 15, 18, 20 and 23 of December. Under Maestro Daniel Oren.

We have a great cast in Anna Netrebko and tenor Yusif Eyvazov , both are worldwide superstars. The singers and staff of The Royal Opera Chorus company are always extraordinary led by William Spaulding and Genevieve Ellis.

My dear Son, is growing and already well travelled, he is having his first Christmas which is magical. The birth “For unto us” spoken prophetically by Isaiah 700 years before Messiah’s birth, was the very words the Angel spoke to the shepherds that night, for I love the spirit of the holy birth. Born and his divinity “a Son is given” unto Mary. Of course we hail “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,” Handel’s oratorio, Messiah, is hummed as we sing , for it gives pleasure to sing this time of year .

Thank you for your support, I wish you hope and peace. Blessings from us all as a family this Christmas.

Masabane Cecilia xxx

G20 Summit Johannesburg 23 November 2025

A great honour and privilege to be part of the G20 South Africa Summit Gala opening.
In great company of Bongani J Kubheka , and the Johannesburg Chamber Orchestra led by the amazing Maestro Kutlwano Masote . As we know music plays a pivotal role in fostering global unity. I am always delighted to meet friends and new acquaintances from the countries represented in the G20. Expressing lyrics in different languages brings me closer to everyone I meet.
Globally and in this Summit South Africa is addressing challenges by establishing partnerships across all sectors of world society, acting in the interests of our shared humanity. As I travel, I recognise that the spirit of African Ubuntu, is present, for the world cannot endure in isolation. As a performer, I rely on my fellow artists, maestros, and support from amazing audiences on many continents, even though they may not be fully aware of Ubuntu: I see they live it. It permeates their hearts, enabling me to perform with such a spirit of Ubuntu too: with creativity in the learning from different cultures and words, which are timeless, but always embracing the great goodness, we find and we share in music.
Every success to this unique historical South African Summit and all who participate, may it spread unity and peace. Blessings to you all,

Masabane Cecilia xxx

London 1 November 2025

After the wonderful Met in New York, I am in London with Maestro Thomas Søndergård and the talented Philharmonia Orchestra. Based on the South Bank of the Thames.

On the 4 of November at the Anvil Theatre and on the 6th of November at the Royal Festival Hall.

Jesse Norman loved Strauss’s Four Last Songs and recorded them beautifully. The magic of this work has the depth of the poetry of Hermann Hesse and Joseph Eichendorff is perfect to the music. It was composed in 1948 when Richard Strauss was 84. The work was premiered in 1950, at one my favourite venues the Royal Albert Hall, after Strauss’s death. I now will sing at another iconic venue the Royal Festival Hall with fine musicians, it is a privilege. The great work features beautiful, long-lined melodies, it is a true partnership between the voice and the orchestra. I feel a true magnetism when singing it and I am looking forward ,as every performance is different.

“Now that I am wearied of the day, my ardent desire shall happily receive the starry night, like a sleepy child.” writes Hess, as I look on to my own child sleeping after our American travels.

I will soon sing Eichendorff’s “Through want and joy we have walked hand in hand; we are both resting from our travels now,.” Every blessing to you all, Masabane Cecilia x

New York 16 of October 2025

2025 continues to close an eventful year, as my life dreams from the stage go to motherhood and my new arrival in my life, our adorable little Son. We travelled after his birth to New York to make new friends. To return to the United States with the magical opening night. The wonderful audiences and the remarkable cast and set, I recall my class with Sir Antonio Pappano on the Royal Opera House stage five years ago learning of my love for Calaf and views on Turandot.

I wished my Mother to have been there to see my debut, as my Mother was my inspiration and is my heavenly guide. Then soon, I will move with the talented Philharmonia, on the South Bank of the Thames. Wagner: Tristan und Isolde, Prelude & Liebestod R. Strauss: Four Last Songs. I

I return briefly to my beloved South Africa in November to assist my country on the World stage as South Africa will hold its ending of G20 Presidency with World Leaders. I am sure we will all pray for peace, and to rid poverty in our World and as a new Mother, for children in need. I thank you all supporters who have faith in me, and I look forward to my operatic London return, in Covent Garden in December and early January .

Further travels await, in 2026 and I2027 with my little blessed family. I am blessed to have you support me, some dear friends came from Salzburg to New York. I thank you all for following my journey. May we all have peace in this World, with our love of music and performance.

With blessings to you all.

Love,

Masabane Cecilia x

What they say about Masabane’s creative joy and transcendence …

“… commanding confidence as she hurled forth a battery of gleaming top notes…. heavenly, giving a jolt of swing to O, by and by, and in her sumptuous contributions to Steal Away and Deep River the soprano stirred thoughts of Jessye Norman… top notes were simply spectacular, and her stage presence most impressive…stage presence make her a firm audience favourite… , a soprano we need in every great choral work…these songs with an effortless, long-breathed line. Her high notes in the first song, “Frühling” (“Spring”), which demand control to sing softly, had expressive beauty…fast becoming one of the glories of the age, all other considerations melt away…you simply luxuriate in the sheer sonic splendour of the voice itself:.. making her American operatic debut. Her devastatingly beautiful Act I “Signore, ascolta!” showcased her precisely sculpted control and golden color; and she brought captivating combination of nobility and despair to her “Tu che di gel sei cinta” in Act III. See this show just to hear Rangwanasha in action — do it for Liù… She sang radiantly yet with a touch of steel that suggested she might be a Turandot of the future herself.”

‘But confronted by the sheer magnificence of Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha’s voice, which is fast becoming one of the glories of the age, all other considerations melt away…you simply luxuriate in the sheer sonic splendour of the voice itself: velvety from top to bottom, and beautiful even when rising to a fortissimo.’
The Times, March 2024

Artistry and international acclaim of Masabane

In the 2025/26 season, Masabane made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Liù in Puccini’s Turandot, a role she will also sing at the Royal Ballet & Opera in Covent Garden. She first performed Turandot with Sir Antonio Pappano, who can ever forget the master class on the stage in 2022 under then Royal Opera House Scholarship. She was returning to the stage after the birth of her Son, Sisanda Mololoko and with her husband Mvano Mgam ably sharing the duties, by her side, thrilled the Met audience on her debut.

Met’s sumptuous “Turandot” opens strongly with an auspicious soprano debut
Wed Sept 24, 2025 by George Grella New York Classical Review

Review

Review By David Salazar

“The vocal star was Rangwanasha. There is a charismatic sweetness to her sound and effortless carry. Her musicality was exceptionally graceful, and she was riveting in every one of Liú’s moments—from “Signore, ascolta” in Act I to “Tu, che di gel” in Act III. Her performance was so stellar that her character’s death left the resolution between Turandot and Calaf feeling a bit anticlimactic, even with the able transformations of the characters both singers brought, and the pageantry of the final scene.”

Metropolitan Opera 2025 Review: Turandot In Opera Wire

The Franco Zeffirelli production of “Turandot” at the Metropolitan Opera is iconic and a known quantity .. in watching the Sept. 30, 2025 performance of the Puccini opera, I was reminded about its enduring power. A strong cast is exactly what the Met delivered on this occasion. The production remains an assault on the senses …“As Liù, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha delivered a gorgeous turn. “Ah, pietà!” featured a glorious, floated high B flat. Her final scene was nothing short of awe-inspiring with her declaration of “Principessa, l’amore” delicate and yet forceful. “Tanto amore, segreto e inconfessato” was delivered with soft tones, drawing the listener in. Here to, her high notes floated at the apex of the aria, the G on “del mio amore.” “Tu, che di gel sei cinta” was gentle but pointed and you could feel her voice growing stronger with each phrase, Rangwanasha expressing Liù’s determination and strength as the inevitability of her death approached. The F natural on “gliocchi per non vederlo più” got a hair-raising crescendo to close out the line.”

Cast and orchestra bring down the house in Met Opera’s glowing Turandot revival
Review By Susan Stempleski, Backtrack
25 September 2025

Turandot, Puccini’s epic love story set in a fantasy version of Imperial China. The lavish staging – with its eye-popping sets (newly refurbished for this revival), fairy-tale exoticism, sumptuous costumes, throngs of choristers, dancers, acrobats and supernumeraries crowding the huge Met stage – continues to elicit oohs and aahs of astonishment. Musically, the performance was even more thrilling, with superb singing and acting by the principals, outstanding work from the chorus, and a fine rendition of Puccini’s ingenious, complex score. “…Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha made a highly promising company debut. With her appropriately sweet and graceful soprano, she delivered a ravishingly nuanced, heart-stopping portrayal – from her Act 1 “Signore, ascolta!” to her vivid and tremendously emotional “Tu che di gel sei cinta” in Act 3″.

Heading to the New Year and 2026

Later in the season, Masabane returns to RBO to make her role debut as Contessa Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and performs the role in concert with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.

On the concert platform, Masabane makes her debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 (Elim Chan), Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphonywith the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Sir Mark Elder), Strauss’s Vier letzte Lieder with both the Philharmonia Orchestra (Søndergård) and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Kevin John Edusei), and Dvořák’s Stabat Mater with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (Jiří Rožeň).

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha winning the Song Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021
Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha winning the Song Prize, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021

Latest News

Discover Cecilia Rangwanasha’s latest achievements and upcoming appearances Link https://www.intermusica.com/artist/Masabane-Cecilia-Rangwanasha/news

Last season, Masabane performed Verdi’s Requiem with Bergen Philharmonic (Jader Bignamini), Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome and at the Wiener Konzerthaus (Daniel Harding), and at International Maifestspiele Wiesbaden (Leo McFall). Masabane made debuts with the Munich Philharmonic for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Nicholas Collon), with Teatro Regio Torino Orchestra for Poulenc’s Stabat Mater (James Conlon), and with São Paulo Symphony Orchestra for Strauss’s Vier letzte Lieder(Thierry Fischer).

Other recent performances include performing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with The Hallé (Kachun Wong), Tippett’s A Child of Our Timewith the Royal Northern Sinfonia (Dinis Sousa) and London Symphony Orchestra (Sir Antonio Pappano), Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Oxford Philharmonic and the LSO, Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony with LSO (Sir Antonio Pappano), and Vier letzte Lieder with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (Giancarlo Guerrero) and Cape Town Philharmonic (Kamal Khan) .

BRIEFLY ABOUT MASABANE

From Lebowakgomo, Limpopo province, South Africa.

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha is a soprano who began her musical journey singing in school and church. She sang from the beginning of her life when she was only at her dear mother’s knee .

Music meant worship songs in church, or the gospel performers she and her siblings watched on television — she is in now in a very different world from the township, where Masabane had never encountered a professional singer. “We had to travel 45 minutes to town to find a piano. I think my first time touching one properly was actually after I enrolled in my music degree aged 19.”

Then in her 20’s particularly impressing St George’s Church, Parktown Johannesburg audience, which has a “cool ” musical classical tradition she gained much support and respect and many saw her great potential.

She is a graduate of the University of Cape Town and the Tshwane University of Technology.

Joined the world famous Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in the 2019-2020 season. Hundreds of global applicants compete for only about five places every two years, making the acceptance rate well under 2%. It is considered one of the world’s most prestigious and sought-after opera training schemes. Out of hundreds of applicants, only a small shortlisted group (typically around 75 candidates) are invited for initial coaching and live auditions at the Royal Ballet and Opera in London. Only about a dozen reach the final stage on the main stage, and just a handful are offered the full two-year salaried contract.

Masabane won the Audience Award at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in 2019.

Gained international recognition after winning the Song Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2021, the first African to do so




Even when younger Masabane was known for her extensive operatic knowledge , har work and performances and orchestral appearances, and she continued to receive accolades such as the Herbert von Karajan Prize in 2024. Performed early in her career as a soloist in Verdi’s Requiem at the First Night of the BBC London Proms in 2022.

Prestigous BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist in 2023.

She appeared in major roles at the Royal Opera House, while on Jette Parker scholarship including as Susanna and Liù .


In demand in Europe especially and now especially in the USA particularly with major North American orchestras.

Masabane is married to Mvano Mgam and has a young Son Sisanda Mololoko born in July 2025.

Masabane once gave an interview as reported in The Times Newspaper in London, walking through the marble foyer of the Royal Opera House wearing hot-pink lipstick and a T-shirt that read :

“You are stronger than you think. Your only limit is yourself.”

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