After a three-year absence from the music scene, talented opera singer, Nolufefe Mzondi-Sontundu, has quietly returned to the studio to work on her upcoming album.
Nolufefe burst into the local music scene 10 years ago when she sang soprano for The Heavenly Quartez on their debut album, Isiqalo.
“I was at school with the guys from The Heavenly Quartez and when they started the group they asked me to back them up because they knew me from the school choir circles,” said Nolufefe.
Her beautiful high pitch took her to Japan and Germany with Isango Ensemble in 2013 as one of the lead vocalists in an adapted version of Mozart’s Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo), performing the role of Pamina.
Since the year 2000, Nolufefe, has been a lead and solo singer who has made a remarkable impact on the classical music industry. She is mostly known for her classical soprano voice.
As a child, she went to Mabefu Primary School, and she completed her matric at Harry Gwala High School in Cape Town. She furthered her studies at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) where she graduated with a B-Tech in Environmental Management.
For more than five years, Nolufefe has been performing professionally, on local and international stages. She performed alongside Heavenly Quartez on fan stages during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Nolufefe has also performed at the Artscape Theatre with the Cape Town Opera Company.
Currently, Nolufefe is working on her first album and has released a single on radio called “Freedom in my hands”.
Bruce Retief, who is working with Nolufefe on her album, described her as an “extraordinarily talented young singer”.
“She has had some training, but that was merely to enhance what was already there: a natural angelic yet powerful voice which is mind-blowing in its purity, beauty and pitch. And these qualities go along so well with the person that she is — humble, hardworking and delightful. She can tackle heavy classical pieces, as well as light crossover numbers with equal ease, and each song she sings, the listener feels treated and privileged, almost surprised to have witnessed such grace and beauty which easily rivals the world’s best.”
