Music of the Rainbow Nation

A Tribute to Nelson Mandela’s Dream

Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s dream and Desmond Tutu’s hope when he named post-apartheid South Africa the “Rainbow Nation,” the evening explores Canadian and South African cultural identity through song and theatre.

We welcome actors Kim Sanssoucie and Batsile Ramasodi from Johannesburg. The pair will offer dramatic recitations of Mandela’s journals and diaries, attesting to the legacy of his dream.

The concert features Juno award-winning vocalist Lorraine Klaasen and her ensemble, The Rainbow Chorus: The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, rising opera-star Justin Hopkins, and a brilliant percussion ensemble led by Ryan Scott.

Experience the world premiere of a choral piece by Canadian composer Gabriel Dharmoo, work by South African composer Kevin Volans, interpretations of songs by Miriam Makeba, and selections from Kurt Weill’s Lost in the Stars.

PROGRAM

Traditional, interpreted by Lorraine Klaasen and band
- Click Song
- Jolinkomo
- Pata Pata
Kevin Volans: Abhaya
Sydney Guillaume: Mama Afrika
Brian Tate: Africa
Kurt Weill: Selections from Lost in the Stars, A Musical Tragedy
- Little Gray House
- Thousands of Miles
- Lost in the Stars
Gabriel Dharmoo: Futile Spells
Traditional, interpreted by Lorraine Klaasen and band
- Babalazi
- Unomeva
- Khawuleza
Performances by Kim Sanssoucie and Batsile Ramasodi