SA soprano May Abrahamse dies at 94

Legendary soprano, opera singer and soloist May Abrahamse, 94, from Belgravia, died a day before her 95th birthday. 

The musician, originally from District Six, and later Belgravia, had battled with dementia since 2012, which was when she moved in with her daughter in Belgravia. She had three sisters and was the last to pass away. She had two daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

May Abrahamse attended Zonnebloem Girls Primary School and Zonnebloem Secondary School until Grade 9, when she left to work as a domestic worker in the same house where her mother worked as a cook. A few months later, she bumped into a friend who encouraged her to do more with her life, and she applied at the Cape Times newspaper, in the printing section, where she worked for years.

Her passion for music started at a young age, and at the age of 14 years old she joined the Eoan Group. She started in the junior choir, moved up to senior and when they started productions, she starred in them and also featured in operas, said her daughter Trudy Rushin. 

She said that her mom's talent became well-known and she soon became one of the leading singers in the Eaon group. She became a soloist at the age of 18. She taught singing at the Joseph Stone in Athlone for many years and loved putting on concerts where she showcased her adult students.

Ms Rushin described her mom as a calm, gentle person who won many awards for her opera singing, but no one knew because she was very modest. She said her mom most enjoyed being amongst her family and friends, doing yoga, and being on stage.

"Many people feel that had she not been held back by apartheid, she would have made the international stage. We will miss her. She was my anchor, go-to person, my confidant, always gave me solid advice, and she had a nice perspective on things. She was very wise, compassionate and gentle. She was very strong, a singer, and music was a big part of our lives. I’ve missed hearing her sing after her diagnosis. She had a funny sense of humour which she passed down to her children and grandchildren," she said. 

Shafiek Rajap said that the Eoan Group community is deeply saddened and heartbroken by the passing of the legendary opera singer.

"The Eoan Group organisation will always and forever be indebted to May Abrahamse for her beautiful voice, her guidance at the Eoan Group as the vocal coach in the music department, her consistent presence in the EG choir and her great contribution to the history of Opera in South Africa. May she sing with Angels in heaven forever."

May Abrahamse was laid to rest on Friday May 9, at St John the Evangelist in Belgravia Rd, Athlone.