The African Concert Series at Wigmore Hall

Omo Bello, Richard Olatunde Baker, Rebeca Omordia

The African Concert Series is returning with its fifth edition, but this time at the Wigmore Hall where on 13 May 2023 there will be a day of concerts with piano music, chamber music and art song.

Things begin with a late-morning recital from the concert series' artistic director, pianist Rebeca Omordia playing music by Nigerians Ayo Bankole (1935-1976) and Christian Onyeji (born 1967), Moroccan Nabil Benabdeljalil (born 1972), South African David Earl (born 1951) and Ghanaian Fred Onovwerosuoke (born 1960). 

In the afternoon, Journeys from Home features songs by composers of African backgrounds but whose careers took them elsewhere, performed by Omo Bello (soprano), Richard Olatunde Baker (percussion) and Rebeca Omordia. Composers featured include Ayo Bankole who studied in London, Cambridge and Los Angeles; Akin Euba (1935-2020) who worked in Germany, America and the UK, and the renowned 18th-century Paris-based violinist Joseph Bologne (1745-1799) famously known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. 

In the evening, there will be chamber music performed by the Ubuntu Ensemble, founded by double bass player Leon Bosch. The programme includes the world premiere of a song cycle by Grant McLachlan (born 1956) for the South African star, baritone Theo Magongoma accompanied by the pianist Tessa Uys, plus works by Peter Klatzow (1945-2021), Mokale Koapeng, Fodé Lassana Diabaté and Moussa Dembele. 

Full details from the Wigmore Hall website.