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Isabel: I'd like to hear about your collaboration. Did you meet while you were working in South Africa?

Craig: We met in Zimbabwe at a festival arranged by Carnegie Hall. I remember when we got together, the big concert we did was for about 10,000 people. Those people had never heard Africans sing classical music before. They're used to hearing people from North America come and do it. So for them, it was amazing to hear people from the continent light it up. Lunga sang "Ah mes amis," I arranged music, and there was an incredible choir of a hundred people. We did this big gala concert that I led from the piano, Lunga sang, and the whole place erupted. He also sang "Bring Him Home," from Les Mis in a different iteration and heard people respond to him in that way. After the first day, I looked at Lunga and asked, "Would you be interested in perhaps coming to the Ryan Opera Center in Chicago?"
It was quite an ordeal to get him here. He was doing things with Cape Town Opera and finding a window in which he could come audition for us in Chicago. So he flew halfway across the world for three days, and he sang on the stage. Of course, the answer was yes!

It started this wonderful time of getting to make music with Lunga and watching so many audiences completely fall in love with him. When I heard that he had a big success at Wolf Trap last summer, I was not surprised. It made me happy. Everyone was getting to see what I had known from the very beginning when I met him in Zimbabwe.

I: Lunga, we are so pleased and so excited to have you with us in November. Craig was just talking about how you two met at a concert in Zimbabwe.

Lunga: So I met Craig through Hlengiwe [Mkhwanazi], who was also a member of the Ryan Opera Center. Hlengiwe reached out because they were doing a concert in Zimbabwe. She mentioned my name to Craig and then I had no idea who Craig was. My first encounter with him, I was singing "Ah mes amis." He was like, `Oh my God, this voice.' We did the concert. The audience went crazy. Then we did a recital and I sang one of the Xhosa songs. After that, he mentioned something about Chicago. To my understanding, Chicago is some place very far. I've been to Philadelphia. I've been to New York. But Chicago, I've only seen on TV. He came to South Africa, to see my friends and my family. I think that's when our bond started. Then I made a promise that I will try by all means to go and audition in Chicago. The journey was not easy because I was still part of the young artists in Cape Town Opera. For them to release me to Chicago was a struggle. The Lyric Opera of Chicago made it possible for me to travel to Chicago. My first experience was horrible because it was winter. It was very snowy and very cold. I wasn't sure if I was going to stay in that place. But then, I just fell in love with the surroundings. I fell in love with the opera house. I fell in love with the people in the company - welcoming and really approachable. And of course, I had Craig on my side, so it was easy to navigate through that process.

I: Is there a particular portion of the recital or a piece that you're really looking forward to digging into again - bringing new life, new meaning?

L: Making music with Craig is just fun. I'm very excited in seeing all the pieces. However, there's a bunch of new songs that he doesn't know that are Xhosa songs. They're so beautiful and I can't wait to see his reaction of what we put together in bringing the magic into these beautiful pieces.

C: Anytime I get to play with Lunga, when he plays the djembe, makes me happy. I look forward to that very much.

I: I'm very curious, Lunga, about the djembe. How long have you played that instrument or have incorporated that into your practice as an artist?

L: I think it's within our African genes. We don't really practice to play drums. We just bang whatever we have. We bang the table, the chairs. When I get to the jam, then I transform into this Wakanda person.

I: Amazing. When it comes to these new pieces, how does it work for you getting piano arrangements? Did you have to get them specifically arranged, or did you do some of the arranging?

L: Some of these songs are sung by choirs. For instance, one of the pieces titled, "Silvia," is a four part harmony song. However, I'm going to rearrange it and make it an aria. I know Craig is very intelligent. He will just create new magic with the accompaniment part.

I: It's a diverse range of repertoire. You have John Ireland, you have Handel, you have South African folk songs, you have some classics for tenors. Are there any singers that have been inspirations for you as you've developed along your journey?

L: Growing up, I was always attached to gospel music, African contemporary jazz music, and also a bit of R&B Soul. My late twin brother, we used to sing songs by Boyz II Men growing up. Then, we escalated to singing all these gospel songs and then choral music, and then opera. Each and every piece that I have chosen or put on the program is a piece that I connect to. The piece by John Denver, it is one my younger brother loves. My younger brother loves that piece and was like, `Can you please just sing this piece just one time.' I was like, `Okay, cool, I'll try. You know, it's not my cup of tea, but I'll try.' Then I remember we spoke about it, me and Craig, and he was like, `Sure, let's do it.' It was magic. I felt everyone in the audience was somehow relating to the piece. We always choose songs that people will relate to.

I: Craig, I wanted to understand more of your work as a music director for the Ryan Opera Center of Chicago. Of course, you've worked with Lunga and so many other emerging artists - helping facilitate and nurture their talents. Have there been moments when you've been able to offer these emerging artists advice to help them along the way?

C: I think we try to provide an environment in which people can grow as people and find themselves. If they have musical skills and they do the work, then the doors will open. To reevaluate what we present, how important the audience is as part of the equation, you can't program a concert without thinking about who the people are that are going to receive it. The concert you do in DC is maybe not the concert you do in Vienna, which is maybe not the concert you do in Berlin, or Chicago…

You have a wonderful audience in DC. It's in the same way that I feel like all the concerts I've played in [your] series have been wildly different in terms of repertoire and things that we've presented. It's wonderful to have an audience of people that love to come and be a part of what we do.

I: Craig, I know you've performed at the Kennedy Center many times, but Lunga, this is your debut right?

L: Starting my life as a freelancer has been a very special journey. Wherever I go, I try to give my best because I believe each and every production that I do is more like an audition for another production. I always dreamed of singing in all of these big houses. I've always dreamed of sharing my gift. Marking this debut - it's one of those milestones. This is the greatest achievement. I really can't wait to step onto that stage and share my talent with the world. I am really, really excited. I can't wait!

I: We have a lot of students who come to our recitals. A lot of them are aspiring to do the career you are in. Do you have any advice for aspiring singers out there? As you've worked yourself with students, what piece of advice can you give them as they navigate this career in 2024?

L: It's just one word, maybe two - Trust the process. We tend to panic because we see all these amazing singers. There are DVDs or recordings on YouTube, and then we just want to sound like them when we're not ready. Then we try all these things and we harm ourselves in the process. My advice is to take things slowly and really try and work smartly. Then, just trust the process. Everything works out at the end. Just believe in yourself.

I: It has been amazing to talk with you both this afternoon and this evening. We are so excited to have you with us in November.

C: I just want to say thank you to all of you for inviting us to perform here. And also for being such a support to young singers, the art form, and to established singers. Giving people platforms and creating a space for artists to make art.

L: Well said, Craig. Again, thank you so much for this opportunity. I'm one of the few South Africans that will step onto that stage. For me, and the youth and the other upcoming singers, this will be a manifestation that everything is possible.

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