This young opera singer has risen above her circumstances and is ready to take flight and conquer the world with her music.
Abandoned at birth, and now singing her way to opera stardom, 16-year-old Bianca Solomons from Kraaifontein has been compared to world-class divas like Maria Callas, Montserrat Caballe and Marian Anderson, according to her manager Samantha Oliphant.
Bianca was born in a toilet in the Kraaifontein area in February 2003.
When she was just a few days old, her mother asked a friend to keep Bianca for a few hours as she had errands to run, but she never returned.
That friend was Ellen Fouché, who then raised Bianca in her tiny Wendy house.
HOME: Bianca’s adopted mother Ellen Fouché. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
Today, that little infant is a young woman who is letting her voice be heard.
Samantha says: “It is breathtaking and unbelievable that a small body like that can have such a massive voice. She is one of the best sopranos I have ever worked with.”
Bianca is a shy, well-spoken young woman who is using her sad start in life as an inspiration to reach for the stars.
“I was born in a toilet, my mom left me when I was a few days old, her friend who she left me with, eventually adopted me,” she says matter-of-factly.
She adds: “We live in a little wooden house at the back of someone’s house. We might not have had luxury, but there is love, respect and, most importantly, support for my dreams.”
ACCOMPLISHED: Bianca shows off her awards and accolades. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
Bianca’s talent was first noticed in Grade 2 when she sang in the school choir.
The choir master noticed there was something special about her voice and encouraged her to sing opera.
“I dream of singing on an international stage so that the world can know there are more opera singers from South Africa and that we have incredible talent,” Bianca says passionately.
Over the years, she has entered and won many singing competitions, gaining her an armload of medals and certificates and the courage to follow her dreams.
Oliphant says Bianca has an incredible and versatile vocal range but her speciality is opera.
Bianca also obtained national colours for her singing at Westcliff High School where she attends.
Bianca will perform on 23 March at 6pm at the Amphitheatre in the V&A Waterfront.