The Dar Choral Society and Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven Symphony no.9 ‘Ode to Joy’ (performed in Swahili) back in May attracted a capacity crowd with many audience members experiencing the excitement of the multi-national performance in the heart of Dar es Salaam for the first time.
Such regular performances mean musical lovers on the Swahili Coast no longer have to travel abroad to listen to classical masterpieces but can enjoy works by the best composers in the central business district of Dar es Salaam throughout the year.
Special praise for the last concert went to Linda Madete, Elizabeth Malenga, Kgaugelo Mpyane, Elijah Adongo whose solo performances attracted huge applause from the 500-strong crowd of music lovers. Their stellar singing combined with fabulous performances by the instrumentalists left many eager for the next concert by the talented group of vocalists and musicians who rehearse tirelessly throughout the year to offer the nation classical musical performances filled with passion and energy. 
Music lovers will not have to wait long for another evening of mesmerising music following the announcement that Verdi’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Symphony no.5 will be performed on Sunday 20 November at 6pm. For the first time the Dar Choral Society and Orchestra will be performing at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre located between Garden Avenue and the Gymkhana Club in the city centre.
Giuseppe Verdi’s choral masterpiece is described by the UK’s Classic FM radio station as a ‘blockbuster’ with the mix of choral, bass drums and brass being ‘staggering’. The emotional intensity is hardly surprising as the 19th century Italian musical genius composed this musical setting of the Mass for the Dead in the Roman Catholic tradition as a heartfelt tribute following the death of his friend Alessandro Manzoni. The legandary composer was a huge admirer of the politician as a campaigner for a more just and unified Italy in addition to being a gifted novelist and master of the modern Italian language.
Widely considered to be one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s greatest works, the Fifth Symphony (or Symphone no.5), created by the German composer between 1804 and 1808, is described by classical music writer Tom Service as having ‘the single most forceful, electrifying, and recognisable opening to a symphony’. In an article for the UK Guardian on the symphony (or large-scale orchestral work) he wrote that: ‘The power, concentration and white-hot compression of Beethoven’s music is staggering.’
Sunday’s audience will therefore be treated to two incredible pieces by two towering figures from the world of classical music. For more information about how to buy tickets for this concert see the accompanying publicity.
Picture credits: Emmanuel Mboma or Ali Akber Zoeb who were the official photographers for the last performance in May 2016.
