BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI– One stage, two musical traditions and a choir ready to make both speak the same language. That is part of what audiences can expect when the Ntjilo-Ntjilo Arts Festival 2026 brings Western classical and African choral music together at the UNESWA Sports Emporium on Sunday, 20 September.
What happens when an Italian opera aria meets the sound of African choral music? At Ntjilo-Ntjilo, the answer will come through the voices on stage. Among the works on the programme is “Ernani, involami” from Giuseppe Verdi’s Ernani, a piece from the Italian operatic tradition. It will be presented alongside “Tinkhabi Tiyaphekelwa” by M.A. Sibiya, bringing an African choral sound into the same musical conversation.
For the singers, the challenge is not only in mastering two very different pieces, but in showing audiences just how wide the choral world can be. Verdi’s composition carries the character of opera, while Sibiya’s work draws the programme back towards African musical expression. The contrast gives the performance its own rhythm, allowing audiences to move between two distinct musical traditions in one sitting.
The festival’s programme also reflects the role choral music continues to play in telling and preserving stories. Ntjilo-Ntjilo has previously explored historical narratives through music, including the story of Prince Dabede, showing that a choir can be both a performing group and a storyteller.
This year’s programme adds another dimension by placing musical traditions side by side. The festival starts at 8am, with general tickets selling for E120 and VIP tickets for E450.
When the first voices rise on Sunday, audiences will not simply be listening to a collection of songs. They will be hearing different musical worlds meet on one stage through melody, harmony and the power of the human voice.
#NtjiloNtjiloArtsFestival2026 #ChoralMusic #ErnaniInvolami #Verdi #AfricanMusic #EswatiniArts #UNESWA #MusicAndCulture #LivePerformance #EswatiniCulture
(Courtesy Pic)
