iNkosi uShaka: JPO Honours the Zulu Nation with a Grand-Scale Afternoon Concert on Heritage Day

Joburgers are in luck this month with the opening of ‘iNkosi uShaka: Umbono, Isizwe, Isiphetho’ (‘King Shaka: A Vision, A Nation, A Destiny’), a 1-day only musical tribute performed by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra at the Linder Auditorium on 24September 2024. This new symphonic production is composed on an epic scale and features opera soloists, a chorus, and a full orchestra. Certainly one not to be missed. Read below to find out more about the production.

iNkosi uShaka concert JPO — Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra in session

A grand-scale symphonic tribute to an iconic Zulu king

A grand-scale musical tribute to the greatness of the Zulu Nation. Canadian-born composer and risk-taker Warren Bessey conceived iNkosi uShaka on the grandest of scales. This monumental work for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra forms a proud new edition to the growing symphonic literature dedicated to the proud heritage of the Zulu Nation.

As its title indicates, the story centres around the mightly and iconic warrior-king, Shaka kaSenzangakhona (1787 – 1828), and also features a coterie of other historic figures such his ruthless aunt, Mkabayi kaJama (dubbed ‘The King Maker’), and the beautiful Queen Nandi, Shaka’s adored mother.

Meet the musicians

An assembly of talented musicians will gather for the iNkosi uShaka concert. The talented poet and actor Ntokozo Ngcobo narrates the literature component of the concert with contributions from opera soloists Andile Dlamini on bass-baritone, soprano Siphokazi Nonzwakazi Maphumolo, and Rheinaldt Tshepo Moagi performing as the tenor.

The concert completes with The Gauteng Choristers, and JPO will perform under the baton of maestro conductor Daniel Boico.

Behind the making of iNkosi uShaka

“Often, historical narratives have neglected or distorted the stories of these iconic characters and their accomplishments,” says Warren Bessey. “Through my symphonic pieces, I have striven to tell the fascinating and inspiring accounts in a way that is truly relevant, authentic, and uplifting and maintains the integrity of South African history and culture”.

“Hopefully we will come to understand King Shaka, Queen Nandi, and Princess Mkabayi in a new way, appreciating the unique place they occupy in the context of our struggle to redefine ourselves as South Africans. I pray that we are joined by a love for music and its power to transform us, and that, in this uniquely South African moment, we can experience a form of true social cohesion through the arts”.

Beyond composing, Mr Bessey is an accomplished writer, a producer of music (both symphonic and for a wide variety of media, including radio, television, advertising, and film), a behaviour change communication specialist, a children’s author, a publisher, and a lecturer.