Pride in her African culture drove singer Helen Epega to create the world’s first “pidgin opera.” With ‘Song Queen,’ which she conceived and stars in, she tells the story of a mythical place where song has the power to unite and promote peace. Performed in pidgin English and a host of other diasporan dialects, the opera is meant to be a window into the world of Africa. According to Epega, the aim of the opera is for people to come together to discover something they possess, which they were unaware of before and that is able to foster unity among everyone. She hopes for the people of African heritage in her audience to be inspired by the performance and become proud of their heritage. And for the continent’s allies to embrace and love Africa.
Helen Epega’s Pidgin Opera ‘Song Queen’ is Connecting Audiences to Africa
- AFRICA TOP 10
- 1 min read