KINSHASA SYMPHONIE

Nowadays as many as two hundred musicians take to the stage to perform at “Orchestre Symphonique Kimanguiste” concerts. The orchestra intends to hold a grand open air concert commemorating the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Independence Day. An audience of several thousand is expected to attend. The programme includes Beethoven’s Ninth, ‘Carmina Burana’, as well as works by Dvořák and Verdi. The rehearsals, their collective music-making and, finally the orchestra’s concert performance combine to convey the strength and determination with which Congolese civil society, seeks to liberate itself from the vicious circle of colonial oppression, tyranny, poverty and war.