The Classical Concert for this year’s edition of the Muson Festival, which held on the evening of Sunday, October 16, was as magical as it was entertaining.
Not only did the Agip Recital Hall overflowing with guests witness the uplifting usual, they also took part in the making of history as the new artistic director, Tunde Jegede, strut his skill on the Kora to perfection.
Many who saw the announcement must have wondered how the evening would play out, whether sounds from the Kora would fuse perfectly with the other musical instruments in the classical concert. But not only was their question answered, they also got much more than what they had bargained for. Leading the way, Jegede and the Muson Symphony Orchestra took the collective breath of the guests away.
The orchestra was earlier conducted by Jegede through the rendering of pieces like George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. Then came the time to do Fela’s Afrobeat classic, ‘Water no Get Enemy’, and Jegede, who had already done one song on the kora, was supported by Duro Ikujenyo (piano) and Wura Samba (drums) to render this unforgettable piece by the Afrobeat legend to the admiration of the audience.
If the head-shaking and feet stamping was not enough while the song was rendered, the applause and standing ovation at the end indicated that it was not a performance to remember.
An excited horde left the hall for the intermission and returned to lap up Vivladi, Donizetti, Morrricone and a host of others. With the voices of Guchi Egbunine (tenor), Ranti Ihimoyan (soprano) and John Eclou (tenor), it was a night that will reverberate in the consciousness of those who took out time to partake in the concert for a long time to come.
Earlier that evening, Rasheed Gbadamosi had declared open the visual art exhibition for the festival organised by the Visual Arts Society of Nigeria (VASON) also titled ‘Coming of Age’ in the Shell Hall.
Gbadamosi said it was gladdening to have youngsters witness the opening of the exhibition.
“Art has its own appeal and wonder. Looking at the youngsters, I am focusing on them because they are the ones who will help to propel whatever it is we are doing in terms of art appreciation, in terms of a festival of this nature, in terms of sustaining the patronage of what we are doing today,” he said.
While explaining that the sustenance of artistic exhibition is a function of the number of young people attracted, he thanked the teachers who had laboured to get the youngsters to the venue.
He then went on to declare the exhibition open.
Also present at the event was Chairman of VASON and renowned collector, Sammy Olagbaju, as well as President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Oliver Enwonwu, and the artists whose works were on display.
The opening event for the festival tagged ‘My Kind of Music’ took place in the evening of October 16. Three of the four distinguished guests announced were present to share the kind of music they enjoy and the influence on their lives.
Former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Banjo; Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku; and Mrs. Mobolaji Osomo showed up, while Dr. (Mrs.) Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu could not make it to the special session.
Chair, Festival Organising Committee, Kitoyi Ibare-Akinsan, an architect, anchored the programme.
Anyaoku, Banjo and Osomo were presented plaques at the end by Louis Mbanefo, vice chairman of Muson.
A cocktail wrapped up the evening.
The three made choices including Mozart’s Piano Concerto No9 (First Movement), a song by Louis Armstrong and ‘Ise Oluwa’ by Edwards. There was also ‘My ain Folk’, a Scottish song made very popular by a celebrated Scottish tenor, and a host of other songs.
On Saturday, October 18, Cyprian Ekwensi’s 1961 Jagua Nana novel adapted to a musical stage play by Wole Oguntokun, who also directed it, took centre stage. The play, which was as enlightening as it was rib-cracking, featured Ashionye Raccah as Jagua Nana, Muyiwa Odukale as Taiwo and Rotimi Fakunle as Freddie. Because it is a musical, there was a lot of singing, too.
The Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) run by Sarah Boulos took over the stage on Monday, October 20, with dance that engaged all the senses.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) also conducted a dance workshop earlier in the day, but the participants have a long way to go to be as adept as the dancers on stage in the evening.
At press time on Tuesday, the festival had taken a break and was to resume on Thursday with Youth Concert, Friday with Jazz Night, while the Muson Day was Saturday and Choral Concert for today, which also marks an end to the festival.