Gé Korsten

South African classically trained tenor singer, born 6 December 1927, died 29 September 1999. He sang almost exclusively in his native language, Afrikaans. Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands and moved to South Africa with his family when he was 9 years old. Initially worked as an electrician and started singing at age 20. Korsten won a bursary to study in Vienna in 1962, where he received tuition under Judith Hellwig. During this period he had the opportunity to perform in Vienna and Munich, but he never sang professionally outside South Africa, mainly due to family considerations. It was only in 1970 that Korsten sold his business to devote himself to full-time singing. In the course of his operatic career, Korsten appeared on stage more than 3,000 times, playing 23 roles in most of the major operas. In 1985, he was appointed the managing director of the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) in Cape Town, a post which he held until 1989.Committed suicide in 1999. He was the father of South African conductor and violinist Gérard Korsten.