Encounter between Africa and Western classics

Ifé is also the title of the evening programme surrounding this ground-breaking work in which many more musical boundaries are crossed. In Concerto Grosso, composer Errollyn Wallen, born in Belize, mixes the old and the new: from baroque to jazz and minimal. And especially for this evening, Tunde Yegede, kora player, cellist and composer with Nigerian roots, has written a work for West African kora and string orchestra in which he will perform as a soloist himself.

The Japanese pianist Maki Namekawa has collaborated with Philip Glass before. She will be performing in different parts this evening, from Ifé to Young Apollo by composer Benjamin Britten - a familiar name at the Holland Festival. Kidjo will end the evening singing. She will perform a classic song by Erik Satie, sing her favourite French chansons in new arrangements and finish with some of her own most popular songs.