Sirocco is pure joy and energy. A great storm of music that celebrates the warmth and diversity of cultural traditions from across the globe.
Guest directed and narrated by South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, this is music for the people, by the people. Abel is joined by Sidiki Dembele and Alan Keary from Chesaba – a trio specialising in the performance of music from the African continent – and the string quartet of Manchester Collective.
This show covers everything from Abel’s outrageous arrangements for solo cello to beloved classics by Stravinsky and Haydn; from a set of original African music to a collection of gorgeous Danish folk songs. When we toured this programme across the UK and Europe, critics described it as a “deeply moving” and “once in a lifetime experience”.
PROGRAMME
Sollima Lamentatio
Chesaba Improvisation
Lawes Aire in C
Haydn String Quartet Op. 76 No. 1, II. Adagio Sostenuto
Trad. Ibuyile (South Africa)
Trad. Ka Bohaleng (South Africa)
Stravinsky Concertino
Trad. Old Reinlender from Sonndala (Norway)
Trad. Shaka (Ivory Coast)
Trad. O Fredrik, O Fredrik (Denmark)
Trad. Takamba (Mali)
Filmed at RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music) in Manchester, October 2019
CREATIVE TEAM
Manchester Collective feat. Chesaba
Abel Selaocoe Cello
Rakhi Singh Violin
Simmy Singh Violin
Ruth Gibson Viola
Alan Keary Electric Bass
Sidiki Dembele Calabash, Djembe and Kamale Ngoni
SUPPORT THE COLLECTIVE
If you enjoy this show, please consider making a donation to ensure we and our artists can keep creating. Thank you!