AMERICAN violinist Nokuthula Ngwenyama, German cello player Theo Bross and the Odeion String Quartet from South Africa are among the musicians lined up to participate at the ninth edition of the Bulawayo Music Festival from June 15 to 19.
BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
United Kingdom pianists Coady Green, Leslie Howard and Christopher Smith will also be part of the largely classical music fiesta sponsored by NMB Bank alongside Heuglin Tenors from Harare and Bulawayo’s Impumelelo Shining Stars.
NMB marketing manager, Lindiwe Thebethebe, said the bank’s regular sponsorship of the festival was inspired by its desire to promote the arts industry.
“Our hope is that our local musicians’ interaction and exposure to the music at the festival will encourage them to broaden the scope of their own music and promote an interest in classical music,” she said.
“In many countries, the arts contribute to the national economy. We believe that the arts industry could do the same for us here in Zimbabwe.”
The first Bulawayo Music Festival took place in 1997 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bulawayo Philharmonic Orchestra, the 20th anniversary of the National Symphony Orchestra and the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the railway in Bulawayo.
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There will be 10 classical music concerts during the festival and a series of DVDs commemorating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, the organisers said.
The festival includes solo violin, cello and piano recitals and provides an opportunity to experience rare performances such as piano trios and quintets and string quartets, quintets and sextets in Zimbabwe.
Ngwenya, whose father left Zimbabwe during the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Rhodesia, was born in the United States.
