Gasebalwe Seretse
8 September 2008
Lovers of classical music converged on Maitisong Hall, Maruapula, last Friday to witness some of the best local talents in the genre.
Sponsored by Bifm and the European Union (EU), the show kicked off with a performance by Lala Liu, who offered Mozart's Violin Concerto. Liu was followed by the versatile KTM choir, which delivered three pieces, including Botswana.
Then the Gaborone Music Society choir joined their KTM counterparts to perform Luka Disho's composition Chiwele. The song is based on a popular folk tale about a girl called Chiwele, who refused to join her grandmother when she fled the giant-infested countryside with regrettable consequences. The two choirs were accompanied by the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.
According to David Slater, a Gaborone-based musical director, who was also one of the conductors at the concert, it was the first time that a song composed by a Motswana was performed at such a platform. One of Botswana's best-known actors, Lebogang Motubudi, then followed with his narration of Peter and the Wolf. The young artist was also backed by the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and interestingly some of the musical instruments played by the orchestra represented some of the characters in the tale. Although Motubudi was in his element as a narrator, the narration was perhaps too long for those who came expecting to hear music only.
The actor can be best remembered for his roles in local productions such as Annie, Joseph and his Joseph and his Amazing Techni Colour Dream Coat and The Lion King, which was recently staged in South Africa.
Some of the performances that came after the interlude included Cor'ngrato by the Three Tswana Tenors, Che Gelida Manina by Boyce Batlanang and Dido's Lament, Porgy Amor Qualche Ristoro and The Jewel Song by Tshenolo Segokgo.
The Three Tswana Turner's deliveries were among the highlights of the night and the threesome look set to go places. The trio recently took part in an Al Jazeera documentary shot here in Gaborone.
On the other hand, Segokgo recently returned from an overseas trip where she participated in an international concert.
At the end of the show, Bifm's chief executive officer (CEO) Victor Senye, presented a cheque for P 25,000 to the director of Maitisong, saying the money would go towards the refurbishment of the hall. Senye said the concert is one of the initiatives they as Bifm do as part of their corporate social responsibility.
"We have a programme where we help nurture arts and culture in Botswana and we have identified Maitisong as our flagship for that," said Senye.
Senye added that Bifm's initiative has contributed to the growth of some classic music artists in the country such as Angela Kerrison and Laone Thekiso, who have since gone international.
"One of our missions is to open an avenue for Botswana's talented musicians and artists to reach the European market, that is why we partnered with the European Union," he said. According to Senye, Bifm spent more than P 300, 000 putting together this year's event.
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