Benin Chorale & Philharmonic 21st Concert Recap: Akhanoba & Handel Premieres
Otamere Osarodion
Easter is a season of profound reflection and soaring joy—and there is no grander way to experience those core human emotions than through the power of masterful art music. This year, the Benin Chorale and Philharmonic Nigeria delivered an extraordinary Easter concert that did more than just entertain; it marked a historic milestone for classical and art music in Nigeria.
Hosted at the beautiful Blessed Tansi Catholic Church in New Benin, Benin City, the event proudly marked the 21st in the society's acclaimed series of concerts. Behind the scenes, the monumental production was masterfully steered by Producer Jude Dumme, whose vision brought this complex multi-ensemble staging to life. Under the expressive and commanding baton of conductor Otamere Osarodion, the evening was an absolute masterclass in musical precision, acoustic brilliance, and spiritual depth.
Two Monumental Premieres
The defining highlight of the concert was its ambitious programming, featuring two heavy, monumental premieres that showcased the deep technical range of both the choir and the instrumentalists.
1. The Indigenous Masterpiece: H. Akhanoba’s Requiem Mass in A minor
The evening featured the highly anticipated premiere of the Requiem Mass in A minor by celebrated Nigerian art music composer Henshaw Akhanoba.
Known for his unique capacity to weave the sophisticated architecture of Western classical structure with the profound emotional and melodic weight of indigenous art traditions, Akhanoba's modern masterwork demands intense focus.
Navigating a full Requiem requires immense mature vocal control. To handle the intricate, deeply moving movements of this mass, the session dynamically featured specialized solos, duets, and a premier quartet. The chosen Requiem Quartet delivered a stunning display of interlocking vocal harmony, featuring:
Esohe Aifuwa (Soprano)
Eifediyi Mary (Alto)
Arinze Chidera (Tenor)
John Eifediyi (Bass)
Together, their vocal chemistry and solo precision added a profound layer of intimacy and dramatic weight to Akhanoba's writing, navigating the somber texts with pristine tonal balance.
2. Baroque Splendor: Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum in D major
In brilliant contrast, the concert also premiered George Frideric Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum in D major. Written originally to celebrate a historic military victory, this grand piece requires radiant energy and complex, interlocking counterpoints between the vocal parts and the instrumental sections. The ensemble delivered it with world-class brightness, filling the Blessed Tansi sanctuary with triumphant resonance.
Beyond the two main structural features, the concert treated guests to a curated selection of iconic sacred solos, trios, and anthems that brought individual performers under the spotlight.
Vocalist Esohe Aifuwa pulled double duty, delivering a breathtaking, virtuosic performance of Handel’s iconic "Let the bright Seraphim" alongside its soaring chorus accompaniment "Let the celestial concerts all unite." Her crisp vocal agility and upper-register clarity left the audience entirely spellbound.
The brilliant trio of Nkeze Afamefuna, Ogodo Victory, and Treasure Irhibiogbe took the stage to sing Henry Purcell complex, joyful "Rejoice in the Lord alway," demonstrating impeccable phrasing, balance, and vocal synergy.
Perpetual Inegbenose commanded the acoustic space with a deeply moving performance of "My song shall be alway" extracted from Handel's historical Chandos Anthems, earning quiet awe from the pews.
Transitioning to modern sacred composition, Emeka Okwechime performed a gorgeous interpretation of "The Lord is my Shepherd," an original composition by the conductor himself, Otamere Osarodion. Okwechime’s warm, expressive delivery perfectly captured the pastoral, comforting depth of the text.
The Orchestra
An ambitious program featuring Handel and a modern Requiem requires absolute technical precision from the instrumentalists. The chamber orchestra rose to the challenge beautifully, anchored and led by Concertmaster George Paul.
Orchestral Personnel:
Strings: 10 Violins | 1 Viola | 3 Cellos
Winds & Brass: 1 Flute | 1 Clarinet | 2 Trumpets
Continuo & Texture: 3 Keyboards
Despite the chamber scale of the group, the sheer balancing act achieved by George Paul and the section leaders gave the orchestra a rich, massive sonic weight. The bright bite of the two trumpets pierced cleanly through the triumphant choruses of the Te Deum, while the deep, warm foundational work of the three cellos and one viola laid down a dark, texturally rich canvas for Akhanoba's brooding Requiem Mass. The delicate woodwind colorings from the flute and clarinet, blended seamlessly with the support of three keyboards, provided a versatile harmonic foundation that shifted effortlessly between Baroque textures and modern art music structures.
Looking Forward to the Next Chapter
As the final, triumphant notes resounded through the church hall and the audience erupted into a well-deserved, roaring standing ovation, one truth was made abundantly clear: classical and choral art music in Nigeria is reaching unprecedented heights. Spanning 21 concert series, the Benin Chorale and Philharmonic Nigeria continues to establish the absolute gold standard for live artistic excellence in the region.
A massive congratulations to Producer Jude Dumme, Maestro Otamere Osarodion, Concertmaster George Paul, the incredible soloists, choristers, instrumentalists, and the organizing committee for pulling off an unforgettable, historic evening.
Did you attend the 21st Concert Series at Blessed Tansi Church? Which premiere or solo performance touched you the most? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates on upcoming concert dates!