Musician and songwriter Thokozani Mhlambi will perform his latest musical production Hail to the King! A Musical Story at the Baxter theatre from Thursday April 4 to Saturday April 6, at 8pm.
Dr Mhlambi is an honorary research fellow at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Archive and Public Culture Research Initiative.
Fresh from a tour of the USA and Canada, Dr Mhlambi’s production incorporates elements of storytelling, classical music and African izibongo poetry.
It is based on a site visit to Umgungundlovu, the ancient capital of King Dingane, the Zulu emperor in the 1830s.
Dr Mhlambi said his compositions are a culmination of years of work researching and developing the music. “This work was inspired by my involvement in the Five Hundred Year Archive project at UCT. For the music, I had to look at the works of historical predecessors like the late icons Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo and BP Tyamzashe – who were great composers in the African tradition, fusing the old and new, African and modern elements, towards a whole new sound.”
The work is made up of three main sections, including meeting of the elephants, the unveiling of the royal woman, and the king’s dance.
“This is the first arrangement of my music for a full string ensemble and vocal consort. Cape Town people are in for a treat with me playing cello, singing as well as directing the ensemble, while the important historical message is told on stage,” said Dr Mhlambi.
Tickets cost R130 or R110 for pensioners. Book through Webtickets.
