Love Liberty - the concert

I enjoy the performances of symphonic choirs, their gorgeous sounds and a mass of voices accompanied by a full orchestra. On 29th and 30th April, the Nairobi Music Society Choir and the Nairobi Orchestra provided one such rare opportunity with outstanding performances under the collective title – Love Liberty – at the Kenya National Theatre.  

To get the best view, I sat at the parquet circle ready to savor the show. When the stage was set for the first song, I quickly glanced at the performers hoping to see my colleague Kavee Mutonga. To my surprise, I also saw two former colleagues – Ms Mary and Mr Kisenyu in the stage right. I felt at home. 

The melodious voices accompanied by a full orchestra elevated our spirits, blissing us out. The Conductor Levi Wataka in his element did us proud and was kind to acknowledge performers with an outstretched arm and a formal bow after every performance. Bennars the pianist was exceptional.  

The medley of songs performed live on set included: Dunia ya Rero, Singo Jadolo, Kokoliko, Nimerudi Mashambani among others. Interestingly, one soloist (pictured) had a strong resemblance to my good friend Gitau Richard in speech and gait. Talk of doppelgangers!

The choir’s performance of David Zalo’s “Nimerudi Mashambani” (I have gone back to the village) had the biggest impact on me, coming against a backdrop of fuel crisis, political bickering by Kenya’s top three politicians and runaway inflation. And its lyrics hit hard … “Maisha ya mjini ni tabu tu, madeni tu. Pesa za mjini ni kama chumvi, huyeyuka, ni bure tu! Baba nipe shamba, nitafanya kazi kwa mikono yangu, nijilishe mwenyewe” (Life in the city is full of challenges, the money one earns melts away like salt. Father, give me a piece of land, I will work hard and take care of myself).

For a moment I thought about counter-urbanization but the sweet melodies jolted me out of my day dream back to bliss. All the same, am I ready to "…rudi mashambani?" Not before I watch Backstreet - the play by my former colleague Xavier Jerry Nato Millaz Productions - rolling out on the 6th, 7th and 8th of May in the same theatre. See you there!