African Opera Series: Funmilayo

50 College Street,South Hadley MA 01075

08 April, 2023

Description

Funmilayo (an opera for chorus, soloists, and orchestra) The opera focuses on the life of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978), a Nigerian pioneer activist who campaigned against colonial rule and resisted the marginalization of women in local government administration. As the leader of the Abeokuta Women’s Union, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti led a successful political movement against the imposition of taxation on market women, an uprising that culminated in the abdication of the Alake (King) of Egbaland in 1948. Her political activism provides a precedent for that of her son, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (1938-1997), a political firebrand and the originator of Afrobeat, whose musical activism is generally considered to have been unparalleled in Africa. The African opera series has become one of the signature performances of the Music Department. These operas are noted for their use of African mythology and performance practices, featuring song, chant, dance, and drumming while utilizing the resources of the Western theatre. FEATURING------------------------ Composed, written, and produced by Bode Omojola Conductor & Music Director: Tianhui Ng Stage Director: Michael Ofori Choreographers: Oyebimpe Davis & Amy Jordan Featuring The Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra Performed by Five College Students of Music 228 & Invited Professionals Miracle Amah, soprano Kiera Myrthil, soprano Uriah Rodriguez, baritone Joseph Oparamanuike, tenor SPONSORED BY------------------------ MHC Office of the President • MHC Office of the Provost • MHC Office of Dean of Students (Purington Fund) • MHC McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives • MHC Music Department (Warbeke Fund) • MHC Art Museum • MHC RERA Fund • Five College Consortium (Symposium Fund) • Five College African Studies Program • Five College Ethnomusicology Program • Five College Music Chairs (Opera Fund) • Amherst College Black Studies • Amherst College Music Department • Smith College Music Department ACCESSIBILITY------------------------ Chapin Auditorium's first floor is wheelchair accessible via an elevator on the South East Corner of Mary Woolley Hall. Accessible Parking is adjacent to the elevator door.