TRIBUTE TO A GENIUS: NEELS HANSEN

It was late 1998 when diva Mimi Coertse and celebrated opera director and costume designer, Neels Hansen, decided to create The Black Tie Ensemble. The determination had been to preserve the traditions of opera performance in South Africa and create a unique pathway for gifted, young singers to attain their goals of becoming celebrated opera performers.

On 03 March 2026, The Black Tie Ensemble took to stage, for the first time, at a corporate soiree for the South African Airways.This platform paved the way for many magical performances that the “Black Ties” staged, and will continue to exhibit even after recently evolving into Gauteng Opera.

Many of the previous “Black Ties”, having been mentored by Neels Hansen, continue to reach greater heights, locally and abroad.

On 05 March 2026, Gauteng Opera will present a concert fit to pay tribute to the genius of Neels Hansen. He has been a driving force behind South African opera in the North, since his days as artistic director for PACT Opera, and was recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kyknet Fiestas, for his contribution to Theatre and Costume Design.

The tribute concert will feature special performances by previous “Black Ties” and will include a line- up of performances from pieces that are favourites of Mr Hansen’s as well as pieces that he produced and directed throughout his career.

We would like to extend an invitation to all Gauteng Opera friends and supporters to join us as we honour Neels Hansen. If you would like to attend, kindly confirm by writing to Audrey at

Venue: Opera, South African State Theatre, Pretoria

[email protected] by Friday 28 February 2014.