Opera on song at multipurpose hall
It is a kind of music that is not popular in the country but it is very rich and demands one to be attentive – that is opera which the audience experienced at St Michaels and All Angels Multipurpose Hall in Blantyre on Sunday afternoon.
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic or combining text usually in a theatrical setting.
In opera there are lots of styles used and it incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre such as acting, scenery, costumes and sometimes dance.
The performance is typically given in an opera house, accompanied by anorchestra or smaller music ensemble led by a conductor and this is part of the Western classical music tradition.
There were several performances on the day but the main headliner was Kika Mwamondwe who supported by his Vioka Classic group, launched his 12- track collection album My Redeemer Liveth.
The launch attracted a different audience that simply does not fancy jumping up and down but rather listening to the instruments speak and it included former minister Jaap Sonke, who was the guest of honour.
It was an afternoon that saw people appreciating the sound from some of the brass instruments.
Although usually performed by veteran artists, Kika as a conductor has been brave enough as a youthful artist to introduce himself to the world with opera music and he did his best during the launch winning the hearts of the audience.
As a conductor backed by the orchestra, he opened his two-hour act with the national anthem before dishing out songs from his album including Makolokoto, The Holy City, Father in Heaven Abiding, Andiuza, Comfort Ye My People, How Great Thou Art and Every Valley Shall Be Exalted.
“I am excited that I have launched the album and also showed the best of opera music. I still have more room for improvement but let me say that this is just the beginning of more things and people should just watch the space,” Kika said.
The Ndirande Seventhday Adventist member said musicians need to embrace different styles in music if they are to be unique.
Some of the artists that spiced up the launch include Joyful Souls, pianist Brian Munday, Machitidwe Atumwi and School Choir and Orchestra.
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