Cottey Presents American Premiere of Nicholas Ballanta's Afiwa

At 8 p.m. on April 16 and 17, 2010, Cottey College will proudly present the American premier of the African opera, Afiwa, by the Sierra Leonean composer Nicholas Ballanta. This work was first performed in Ghana in 1936 and again in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in 1937. It was also produced in Sierra Leone in 1997.

Ticket Information
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for those under age 18 or over age 62. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Cottey Ticket Office at 417-667-8181, ext. 2186, or by e-mailing the office at kkorb@cottey.edu.

The Plot of Afiwa
Once upon a time there was a King of the Anlo who had seven wives of whom one was the most favored. Unfortunately this one had only female children; and the King, desirous of having her bring forth a male child, killed a large goat and called all his wives to eat thereof, at the same time giving them an injunction that none of them should thereafter give birth to any female child. The punishment for disobedience would be that the unwanted girl would be thrown into the river. Immediately thereafter a female child was born by the most favored wife, and, true to his threat, he caused the child to be thrown into the river. The baby was picked up by another woman who nursed it and took care of it until it was grown. One day when the child was passing through the farm of the King she was instructed to drive away goats and birds who were destroying his corn. She refused, stating that, if she had been dead, she would not be alive to drive away goats and birds. The King was vexed at this and called his Counselors to witness her punishment for disobedience. They, however, after having heard the story of the child, decided against the King and had him punished for his crime committed years previously.

Featured Vocalist
Performing the lead role will be Cottey College alumna, and native Sierra Leonean, Joseryl Beckley. Ms. Beckley is a 2000 graduate of Cottey College, and a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Bloomington. She is a professional singer and also serves as Acting Principal for the Ballanta Academy of Music in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Performance Location
Afiwa will be performed in the Auditorium of the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts. The Center for the Arts is on the northeast corner of Austin and Tower streets in Nevada, Missouri.

Want to know more about Nicholas Ballanta?
See the Wikipedia page on his life and career.