Based: Johannesburg
Jannie Moolman was born in Kwazulu-Natal and began his opera career as a tenor in 1990 after completing his degree in communication at the University of the Free State. He studies under the guidance of some of South Africa’s finest musical and coice mentors, some of which include Gudrun Barella, Martia Napier and Eric Miller.
In 1992 he becomes a solo artist at the Pretoria State Theatre. Jannie also gets involved in various stage productions like Attila, Der Rosonkavalier, Lucia di Lammermoor, Pagliacci, Le Nozzi de Figaro, Idomeneo, Der Fliegende Hollander, Turandot, Manon Lescaut, and Fidelio Salome.
Jannie makes his debut at the Cape Town opera as Rene in die Count of Luxembourg in 1994, where he was also seen in various other operas such as: Tamino (Die Zuberflote), Pinkerton (Madam Butterfly) and Don Jose (Carmen). Jannie also had the loading role in the following productions: La Boheme, Don Pasquale, La Traviata, Rigoletto, The Entfurung aus dem Serail, Un Ballo in Maschera and Nabucco. Jannie has toured extensively through the country, headlining shows at some of South Africa’s biggest art festivals including Spier, Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Aardklop and the Grahamstown Arts Festival.
Jannie receives various awards through the years: The FNB Vita Life Award for the most promising singer for the role of Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor (1992) as well as the State Theatre / SAA Opera Foundation Award (1993).
Jannie was awarded second place in the Marsala International Singing competition in Italy and also received the FNB Vita Life Award for the best performance by a male singer (1997).
He gets awarded third place in the well-known Belvedere International song competition in Wenen and in 1998 he receives another FNB Vita Life Award for his performance as Dominee Venter in Roelof Temmingh’s Buchuland. He also gets nominated for a FNB Vita Life Award for his unique role as Price Karl Franz in The Student Prince.
Jannie Moolman’s concert career includes the following: Hӓndel’s Messiah, Schubert’s Miss in G, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Missa Solemnis, Mozart’s Requiem and Coronation Messe, Rossini’s Stabat Mater and Messe Solennelle and Gérard Korsten, Bruno Aprea and Reinhard Schwarz. He has performed throughout the world in countries like Austria, Germany, England, Hong Kong, China and various other African countries.
Jannie Moolman was previously part of the well-known group: Ons Eie Drie Tenore. He also performs with Jaren Meiring in the production Klassieke Pelle, written by Janice Honeyman (also the director of the production). Jannie Moolman regularly shares the stage with Rina Hugo, after they colabirated on the highly successful KKNK production of Gé Korsten: Hoor my lied. Jannie Moolman releases his first solo album in April 2003.
Jannie Moolman, Dozi and the Afrika Mamas get awarded the “Herrie” Prize in 2004 during the tenth KKNK National Arts Festival. This prize gets awarded to the artist who caused the biggest commotion (“herrie”) during the festival. This is exactly what Jannie, Dozi and the African Mamas have done with their “cross-over” production, where Jannie also sang contemporary music and blues.
Jannie regularly performs with three superb musicians in the production: 4X4 No Tracks. This show steals the heart of any music lover, as it is a live performance with a band. Dianne De Beer said the following regarding Jannie’s role in this live musical production: “It’s the mix of the big voiced Jannie Moolman and the popular classics with the excellence of the trio of musicians that turns this performance into a rather funky not to be missed, performance.”
