Accra to host opera concert

Created in 2012 by the popular pastor Mensa Otabil, the Accra Symphony Orchestra is one of the most respected classical music ensembles in the country. In its early days, the orchestra was essentially an instrumental music ensemble. By 2014, a voice section has been added. Named Lumina, this section expanded the repertoire of the Accra Symphony Orchestra. Thus, Otabil’s brainchild climbed to the higher realms of the classical music field on the continent.

Increasingly, Ghana has shown it has embraced genres other than the hiplife, highlife and hip-hop the country is well known for. The Ghana National Symphony Orchestra will perform at a festival later in the year. The London-trained Ghanaian opera singer Nino, will be collaborating with the national orchestra.

According to an official statement, guests will be treated to an "enchanting” session of “opera, operative pop and classical music from all world cultures”. Performances at the concert will include Carl Orff’s ‘O Fortuna’ of Camina Burana and a selection of classics from The Sound of Music. The music of Fela Kuti will also be featured, as will that of the great Manu Dibango from Cameroon and Ghana’s own Osibisa.

By way of invitation, the Accra Symphony Orchestra announced on Facebook: "It's Lumina and the Accra Symphony Orchestra live concert once again. Get ready to be blown away!"

Accra Goes to the Opera will take place on 9 July. Entry fee for the concert is set at 60GHC (15 dollars)