South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza has signed a global recording deal with Decca Classics. The singer, who grew up in the violent townships of Cape Town during South Africa’s apartheid regime, will record a specially commissioned song by composer Paul Mealor set to the poem Invictus for her debut album. Former South African president Nelson Mandela was known to recite the poem to his fellow inmates during his 27-year incarceration on Robben Island.

Matshikiza discovered classical music as a teenager, and after auditioning for the South African College of Music, was championed by Kevin Volans; the South African composer bought her plane ticket to London so she might audition for the Royal College of Music, where she was offered a full scholarship. The soprano was also a member of the Royal Opera House’s Young Artist Programme and is currently engaged on a three-year contract with Stuttgart Opera.

Her new Decca album will feature traditional African songs in her native Xhosa language, tracks accompanied by The African Children's Choir, including new arrangements of Paul Simon's Homeless (from Graceland), Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika (The National Anthem), and popular opera arias by Mozart and Puccini.
 
‘It is an honour for me to join Decca Classics, the home of many great opera singers,’ said Matshikiza. ‘My debut album tells the story of my incredible journey from Africa to Europe and I feel privileged to be able to chart it through the very personal repertoire choices on this album; songs and arias that prove music unites people across the world and brings cultures together.’
 
Paul Moseley, managing director of Decca Classics added: ‘Pumeza’s voice has a haunting beauty that goes straight to the heart; you rarely encounter such distinctive quality. Her story has inspired us and we believe she will soon grace the great opera houses of the world.’

Watch a video about Pumeza Matshikiza below: