Cape Town Opera’s Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Alexander Gabriel as CTO’s new Managing Director. This comes after a stringent selection process to find a suitable South African candidate to lead the company in a post-Covid world.

“Alexander’s appointment as Managing Director during the anxieties of this pandemic brings the freshness of new beginnings, enhanced by his rare blend of accomplishments as a sought-after pianist and vocal accompanist in Cape Town, and as a Chartered Financial Analyst,” says  Susan Smith, CTO’s Board Chairperson. “His enterprising spirit and engaging demeanour also stand him in good stead to lead CTO. The Company has warmly embraced his arrival and I so look forward to working with him.”

Gabriel has a MMus Degree from the University of Cape Town, specialising in vocal accompaniment. He has been collaborating and performing with singers and instrumentalists around Cape Town for over 25 years. Alexander spent many years teaching piano, and eight years teaching undergraduate music courses at UCT, before moving across to the world of finance.  He is also Chartered Financial Analyst and for the past 14 years has been a director at a portfolio and financial risk management company that services the asset management industry.

Gabriel says, “I am grateful for the opportunity to combine my love of music and finance, and it is an honour to take on this new responsibility.  Although I foresee no shortage of challenges, particularly in this extraordinary time, it is a challenge I take on with a sense of excitement and anticipation. I would like to thank the board for entrusting me with the responsibility of managing Cape Town Opera. CTO turns 21 this year, and I look forward to getting to know all the members of the company and seeing our wonderful singers back on the stage where they deserve to be.”

Gabriel will take office on November 1, 2020, taking over from Interim Managing Director, Africa Melane, who will return to his role as Vice Chair on CTO’s Board of Directors.