Sedibeng Choral Society sang their first note at exactly 1930hrs, when opening their two-day show at Maitisong on Friday. The choir clearly aims for the utmost in professionalism at their annual shows.
This, however, does not translate well with punters because a little more than half the attending audience were sitting in the auditorium before curtain call while the rest trickled in between applauses as is custom at Maitisong.
This years’ production, The Creation, is an oratorio written between 1796 and 1798 by Joseph Haydn, an Austrian composer, and is considered to be one of his many masterpieces. The oratorio celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Biblical book of Genesis. The Creation is set for three vocal soloists (soprano, tenor, and bass), four-part chorus (soprano, alto, tenor, bass).
The three soloists represent angels who narrate and comment on the successive six days of creation: Gabriel (soprano), Uriel (tenor), and Raphael (bass). In Part III, the same soloist usually sings the role of Adam.
Soprano solos where sung by Palesa Bogopa, Onneile Maje and Dianah Johane, tenors by Oteng Zachariah, Tumelo Swele and Ralph Dennison. The bass soloists were by Tebogo Dire, Tebogo Kebakile and Lenny Magowe.
The grand finale was a chorus from the Creation, The heavens are Telling translated into Setswana, and thus titled Magodimo a Supa Kganya ya Modimo.
Though this year’s production was sung in English, it was lengthier than last year’s Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria in D major sung in Latin. It appears Andy Batshogile, Sedibeng Choral’s artistic director, and his charges revel in challenge because next year they will move from chorale works and stage Gilbert and Sullivan’ Pirates of Penzance opera, record an album and set up a website address.
Andy then thanked sponsors BDF Women’s Club, Tiki Architects, Mosienyane & Partners International, Performance Resources, Riverwalk, David Slater Music and Sunday Standard.
