As part of the launch of Foodie Getaways to promote travel, tourism and leisure across Tanzania (and beyond), it is a pleasure to showcase an upcoming musical attraction that might surprise both visitors and citizens alike: Beethoven in Bongo…
One of the most remarkable events in the cultural calendar of Dar es Salaam are the occasional performances by the Dar Choral Society and Orchestra. For a city without a concert hall, it is a testimony to power of music that musicians and singers united by a passion for the great classical masterpieces, come together to perform the work of some of the world’s greatest composers.
This time conductor Hekima Raymond is bringing ‘Beethoven to Bongo’ with the German composer’s Symphony Number 9 – Ode to Joy. “Beethoven broke musical boundaries,” explains Hekima, “He did this to express powerful emotions through his compositions.” This symphony is no exception in offering plenty of challenges for the conductor who approaches the celebrated work as a bonding and connecting of ideas and expressions. 
Hekima personally selected this glorious choral masterwork for the universality of its theme of ‘brotherhood’. Indeed, in the final movement Beethoven sets parts of poet Friedrich Schiller’s Ode to Joy to music. The eighteenth-century German poet and philosopher Schiller essentially composed a drinking song about brotherhood whose powerful sentiments struck a chord with the composer and continues to resonate with people today. Hekima reflects the spirit of promoting harmony across borders by welcoming musicians to Dar from South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Finland for this concert.
So what can audience members expect from a performance by the Dar Choral Society and Orchestra? “First the special atmosphere of live music from a stage of 70 musicians and 60 singers.” Says Hekima who goes on to explain the performance of 1hr 30mins will this time be performed in the marquee of the Serena Hotel with seating for 500. Welcome drinks are included in the cost of tickets priced at Tsh 50,000 (normal) and Tsh 100,000 (VIP front seating). While the musicians and singers observe the normal conventions of a classical music concert, the audience can be assured of a welcoming and relaxed evening with the option of taking supper at the hotel’s Serengeti or Jahazi restaurants after the performance. 
Beethoven was believed to have fuelled his remarkable capacity for composing with macaroni, butter and cheese accompanied by a light Austrian wine. Hekima prefers to refuel with a chocolate cake and fresh juice. He will certainly deserve his treat after leading his talented performers through four months of weekly rehearsals. For more information about the upcoming musical feast simply look here in Foodie Getaways.
Pictures from previous performances courtesy of AZH Photograph/V-Click Concepts
