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Beans and violins – orchestra blends classical roots with modern Nigeria

Beans and violins – orchestra blends classical roots with modern Nigeria

AT a Lagos cultural centre, a rapt audience listened to baritone John Onosolease perform an operatic song in the Yoruba language about a hapless soldier being admonished for his failure to cook a flavoursome dish of beans. It was the latest show staged by the Vesta Orchestra, founded in 2017 by violinist Rosalyn Aninyei, which has enlivened the classical music scene in Lagos by performing new works by contemporary Nigerian and African composers. "He cooks and there's no pepper, no oil, no salt, no onions. It is bland. What sort of food is this?" sang Onosolease, drawing laughter and cheers…
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