Serge Kakudji: opera star in the heart of Africa

5 Oct 2015 - 10:54

In Lubumbashi on 24 August, the crème de la crème of Katanga province in south-eastern DR Congo attended a unique event. Senators, major company managers, ministers - all of them were sitting at the tables of one fine restaurant. As if the wait was not long enough, they first had to listen to a couple of young artists. Although they were really talented, the one person the audience was eager to see was Serge Kakudji.

Congolese opera star Serge Kakudji. Photo: www.operamagazine.nl.jpg

The 26-year-old, Kolwezi-born countertenor is an uncommon phenomenon both in the DRC and Africa. Opera music is not very popular on the continent, but this artist has begun to change this, with a voice that has already been heard on various stages around the world.

And then he finally came in… Wearing a belted black suit, his hair tighten in a ponytail. He stood focused as his voice performed acrobatic feats on Handel, Gluck and other operas.

After a buffet meal, the second part of his performance was as enchanting as the first. It included great French pop music hits with an opera twist. Surrounding himself with young local talents was a clever and bold move. Among them was young singer and songwriter Alyssa Anastassiou, whose charming voice truly was the icing on the cake.

If the first and second acts were a success, the third one was a total surprise. Kakudji stormed in the room wearing nothing but a peace of African fabric wrapped around his hips and started a frenzied choreography along with Atuudang’s traditional tshokwe dancers. This interlude was meant to remind people how much Serge still values his background.

When the event was over, guests did not leave before they could congratulate the young prodigy in person. Although he was exhausted, Serge couldn’t stop smiling. Two days later, he was on a flight to the other side of the world, to Brisbane, Australia - a new audience, a new repertoire, but surely the same enchanting voice…

Serge Kakudji