By ESTHER OSEYIOMON

The Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO), staying true to its commitment to “go local” while looking global, has brought to life one of Chinua Achebe’s most acclaimed literary masterpieces, “Arrow of God”. The iconic novel, which became the thematic and creative inspiration for OperaAbuja 2025, was reimagined through orchestral music, choral power, choreography, and operatic interpretation.

For nearly two decades, OperaAbuja has been a signature cultural event in the Federal Capital Territory — a year-end tradition loved by patrons of the arts. The 2025 edition, held at the iconic Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, marked the 18th annual production and introduced the world’s first operatic adaptation of Achebe’s Arrow of God. The performance delivered an immersive, culturally rooted musical interpretation that visibly captivated the diverse and colourful audience.

A fusion of drama, culture, and musical artistry

The evening opened with a goodwill message from Mohamed Said Khalil, Hotel Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, who reaffirmed the hotel’s longstanding partnership with AMEMUSO.

“For 17 years, OperaAbuja has been a cherished tradition here at the hotel,” he said. “This celebration of musical excellence uniquely blends opera, classical, and African music. This year’s adaptation of Arrow of God brings something truly special — a fusion of drama, culture, and remarkable musical artistry.”

Khalil added that Transcorp Hilton’s support for the event reflects the hotel’s broader mission:

“Supporting nights like this isn’t just about providing a venue; it is part of our commitment to enriching our community, something we live every day through Hilton’s Travel with Purpose initiative.”

Calls for stronger institutional support for Nigerian arts

Several speakers at the event emphasised the need for institutional funding, creative-industry training, and collaborative partnerships among libraries, schools, and cultural organisations — all aimed at preserving Nigeria’s artistic heritage and enabling ambitious adaptations such as this.

Hon. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, praised the adaptation for delivering “a world-class interpretation of a Nigerian classic.” He stressed that productions like OperaAbuja “strengthen national identity and give Nigerian performers and creatives the visibility they deserve on the global stage.” He also led a moment of public appreciation for members of the production team.

“A celebration of heritage in harmony”

Delivering the opening address, Dr Dayo Benjamin-Laniyi, Foundation President of OperaAbuja, described the production as “heritage in harmony.”

She paid tribute to the vision of OperaAbuja founder Cecilia Toledo, commending the artistic excellence of the AMEMUSO choir, the Araya Orchestra, and the choreography team.

“African stories do not only speak — they sing,” she declared, highlighting the power of operatic performance to animate Achebe’s narrative for a new generation.

The opera was produced and musically directed by Mr Sam Ezugwu, co-founder of AMEMUSO, while Ayodeji Ajayi wrote the stage adaptation. Ezugwu noted that this marks the world’s first complete operatic adaptation of Arrow of God—a cultural milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.

Reimagining Achebe through music and stagecraft

The performance dramatised the complex story of Ezeulu, the chief priest of Ulu in Umuaro, whose clash with British colonial authorities triggers a spiritual, cultural, and political crisis. His detention — which forces him to miss the ritual announcing the New Yam Festival — disrupts the community’s religious and agricultural flow, driving villagers to seek alternative authority in Christian missionaries. The death of his son Obika becomes the final fracture, symbolising a community’s shift from traditional religious order to colonial dominance.

Through a blend of music, vocal performance, orchestration, and dance, the production brought out the novel’s themes: Leadership, devotion, spirituality, resistance, cultural conflict, and the erosion of indigenous authority.

A cultural milestone

With its 2025 edition, OperaAbuja not only extended its legacy but also set a new benchmark for African literary and musical fusion, proving once again that Nigeria’s cultural heritage is vast, dynamic, and ready for global expression.

OperaAbuja 2025 stands as a reaffirmation of the creative power of Nigerian artists — and a call for greater national investment in the arts that preserve and project our collective identity.

In reimagining Arrow of God for the opera stage, AMEMUSO has done more than honour Achebe; they have contributed to a growing cultural renaissance that insists our stories are worthy of the world stage.

This is the kind of artistic boldness that can shape the future of Nigerian culture — if we choose to nurture it. Benjamin-Laniyi was apt when she said that this, the 2025 OperaAbuja adaptation and staging of Achebe’s ‘Arrow of God’, is “a heritage in harmony”.

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