OPERANAUTS PRÉSENTE – 1ÈRE EDITION
Joy Happenings
/ Joy Concours, 2022
OPERANAUTS is proud to have launched the JOY HAPPENINGS / JOY CONCOURS, a singing competition series created to promote and support lyrical art and artists. Through the JOY HAPPENINGS / JOY CONCOURS program, OPERANAUTS provides music education and performance opportunities to local musicians to enrich the music community in Kinshasa.
Joy Happenings will lead with two opening concerts featuring soloists from Kinshasa. The winners will advance to The Grand Finale Concert where 3 winners will be selected based on scores from a panel of expert musicians in addition to a public vote. The winners will receive a trophy and prize money at an awards ceremony in their honor.
THE GRAND FINALE CONCERT
APRIL 2 2022, 6PM
The Grand Finale Concert takes place at the large performance hall of the Boboto Cultural Center in Kinshasa’s Gombe district. The 20 finalists of the Joy Concours 2022 are:
1 Alfred LOWALOBE, Baryton
2 Benjamin LUABA, Ténor
3 David LUNGU, Ténor
4 Dieumerci SELENGWE, Ténor
5 Divin PHOBA, Ténor
6 Eddy LUKAU, Bass baryton
7 Glodi MAYINGI, Baryton
8 Grace-Mélanie TUBUKU, Mezzo-soprano
9 H-My KWEVI, Ténor
10 Jemima MUKOKO, Soprano
11 John BALOJI, Ténor lyrique léger
12 Junior YAKUSU, Bass
13 Ludovic BILOLO, Ténor
14 Marie-Eliane KAZADI, Mezzo-soprano
15 Moïse BAUMA, Ténor
16 Mirphyle KAPINGA, Mezzo-soprano
17 Patrick MUPEPE, Bass baryton
18 Rosette MBIYA, Soprano
19 Rosie BENGA, Mezzo-soprano
20 Vanessa MOBALI, Soprano
Following our finalists performing their opera arias and as the Operanauts Team counts the scores and votes to determine the Concours winners, Operanauts are proud to introduce an emerging ensemble from Kinshasa, the Blue Marlin Events, who will perform a set of opéra folcklorique, a brand-new musical genre of their own invention.
Opéra folcklorique is a unique category that combines elements from early Italian opera with stories from Congo’s tradition of griot folklore. It originated after Operanauts brought a collection of early Italian songs and opera arias, donated by Alfred Music Publishing, to Kinshasa in 2018. Pianist Diego Tara and his street musician friends began to improvise over the Italian songs, incorporating opera vocals and griot performance as they went. Before long, a new genre was born.
Blue Marlin Events will also perform at the CONGO YETU charity concert, with details below.
Soloists from the young adult choir CHOEUR NAVITAS:
CONGO YETU: UN GESTE D’AMOUR POUR GOMA
APRIL 9 2022, 6PM
OPERANAUTS, RDC is proud to invite you to attend the charitable concert, CONGO YETU: un geste d’amour pour Goma, a gesture of love for those who suffer in eastern Congo. The concert will take place in the Boboto Cultural Center at 7 Avenue Father Boka in Kinshasa/Gombe on Saturday 9 April 2022 at 6PM, followed by a reception for VIP ticket-holders.
The CONGO YETU (“Our Congo” in Swahili) concert is dedicated to helping provide drinking water to victims of the recent volcanic eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in Congo.
Concert programme:
Mozart’s Requiem arranged by Franz Beyer
Performed by the young adult choir CHOEUR NAVITAS conducted by Diego Tara, soloists will include Dorothée Mulomba Etosi, soprano; Dorcas Masika Nende, contralto; Benjamin Luaba, tenor; and Junior Yakusu Itambo, bass
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro
Performed with traditional instruments, griots, and dancers presented by the music group Blue Marlin Events ensemble, featuring: Diego Tara, clavier/arrangeur, founder; Jorluquin Omandje Lohombolo, Griot et Danseur; Grâce Botakile Lofulo, Griot et Danseur; Patrick Lisambola Bokota, Guitare Bass; Christian Bola Mpote, Guitare Solo acoustique et accompagnement; Alexy Dongwa Ikonga, Percussioniste; Jean-Marie Mongi Mongi, Batteur avec la gourde rempli de sable; Exaucé Mukata Engondo, Ngongi, Maracas; Béni Mabanza Mongombo, Pianiste; Jonely, Danseur; Dorcas Masika Nende, Chanteur, danseur, metteur en scène et gestionnaire.
“Almost half of Goma’s residents now have no drinking water,” warned Rachel Bernard, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross’s regional delegation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “There’s a high risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases, such as cholera.”
Get Tickets
For tickets or more information about our upcoming events, Whatsapp +243898990537 or email concoursjoy@gmail.com / operanauts@gmail.com
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Operanauts relies on the kindness and support from our donors to make our work in Kinshasa possible. Charitable contributions from the Joy Happenings concert will go toward providing drinking water to victims of the volcanic eruption in eastern Congo. We invite you to make a donation today.
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