Hildesheim– In March, the Sing Akademie Niedersachsen will go on a concert tour to Namibia with 96 singers, instrumentalists and soloists. The musicians from all over Germany will work with local choirs on the project “Carmina Burana and Africana”. More than 200 people will be present on the stages of the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) in Windhoek and the Kulturhalle in Swakopmund. Claus- Ulrich Heinke, the Artistic Director and Chairman of the Sing Akademie, shared details about the project, which was realised through the support of the Federal Foreign Office.
Mr Heinke, the SingAkademie and yourself will fly more than 8000 km to hold a concert in Namibia. Why does such a long journey make sense?
It is almost clichéd to say that music builds bridges, but it is nevertheless true. In our case probably in a special way. We will join in Namibia with local choirs, instrumentalists and soloists to form a common ensemble. We are working together on the same level with respect for another to create art. That is simply beautiful and a sensible way to enhance understanding. And it shows that, nearly a hundred years after the end of the German colonial rule, a partnership can exist between the people on the basis of this respect. That is why we will hold one of our concerts on March 21, the national holiday of Namibia. We are very happy that the Federal Foreign Office has placed great importance on the project and supports the workshops and concerts generously. We also receive intensive support from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on the ground in Namibia. The Namibian state also engages itself.
What is so special about this concert?
It is certainly unusual that so many people, both in Germany and also in Namibia, are engaged with this project. In Namibia, it’s the Mascato Youth Choir and the Amdi!Khoen Choir plus others interested in the project. The singers are taking part because of their enthusiasm for the music and for this endeavour. We are not just singing the Carmina Burana, but also integrated African songs, in particular songs that fit with the themes of Orff’s work: the coming of spring, celebrating, drinking and love. Everybody sings everything. It is thus not a German- Namibian side-by- side performance, but an intercultural togetherness.
Why Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana specifically?
It is just a very good work. This music is sung all over the world, and is suited for the integration of music from other countries. Additionally, the songs of the Carmina Burana reflect the general human experience: the ups and downs of fate, the pleasures of nature and love, the lust for life and the horror of its finiteness. Insofar the songs of the Carmina Burana are an easily accessible grand narrative about human life.
Will it be difficult to connect the different choirs musically in such a short time?
I don’t believe that. Everything is well prepared. The Namibian conductor Engelhardt #Unaeb already attended our preparation workshops, and he listened in to most of my Carmina- rehearsals. Additionally, he practiced the African songs with the Sing Akademie, including the typical clicks and the movements, that form a natural part of singing in Africa. That was a challenge- but we had an incredible amount of fun. I too, have also already been to Namibia for preparatory meetings and I also conducted a rehearsal of the local project choir. The African men’s voices especially greatly impressed me. They are great. But also the other participants sing beautifully. (Source: Kultur & Kommunikation (Ralf Neite), Hildesheim via German Embassy in Windhoek)