Die Akademie het reeds voor die Tweede Wêreldoorlog 'n belangstelling in opera geopenbaar maar sou eers in die jare vyftig op indirekte wyse deur sy ampsbekleders en sy kantoor aktief betrokke raak by die bevordering van opera. Dit het tot uitdrukking gekom in die strewe om bekende operas ook in Afrikaans aan te bied, om operasangers en dirigente te bekroon en het uiteindelik gelei tot 'n bepaalde bydrae in die totstandkoming van die rade vir uitvoerende kunste in 1963. Hierdie artikel gee veral aandag aan pogings om opera in Afrikaans en onder die Afrikaanse gemeenskap te bevorder. The Akademie and opera The Akademie's interest in opera predates the Second World War. However, this interest only became more active in the 1950s when the Akademie played an indirect role, through the activities of its officials and its office, in promoting opera in South Africa. The Akademie was particularly keen on presenting Italian and German operas in Afrikaans and encouraging opera by granting rewards to opera singers and conductors. The Akademie eventually played a supporting role in establishing the four provincial councils for the performing arts in 1963. This article focuses on various efforts made to promote opera in Afrikaans and for the Afrikaans community.