Hope Masike to perform at Alliance Francaise
Mbira musician Hope Masike is set to perform in a special concert on Thursday at Alliance Francaise de Harare.
The concert, dubbed ‘By The Rivers of Water’, will be a first-of-its-kind experience where the musician will perform hymns she grew up with, on a Mbira tip.
Masike has a deep love for hymns and is disheartened by the fact that foreign music is played in churches, leaving out the traditional hymns.
“In this concert therefore, I am playing some of my very favourite hymns that I last heard my grandfather Reverend Masike, sing,” said Rusike.
“From the common global pop hymns such as Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ to age old Shona hymns such ‘Anotida’, my band and I shall be giving you both, hymns as you have never heard before, and Mbira as you have never heard before.”
Masike’s objective with the concert is to challenge the dogmatic skepticism towards Mbira, which is often labeled a pagan instrument, and simultaneously disrupt the traditional system of presenting gospel music.
She believes that Mbira is an instrument that can be used in any way and is determined to expand its life force by showcasing its versatility in this concert.
Masike is no stranger to collaborations and has worked with many musicians across the world.
She has three albums to her name and has performed in many official events, including playing the Zimbabwe National Anthem and anthems of other countries on the Mbira for many embassies’ national days.
For this concert, Masike has curated a band comprising Ndomupeishe Chipendo, Florence Muteta-Samboko, Tafara Mthabisi Gumbo, Tinotenda ‘Blawu’ Mawunganidze, and Abel Mafuleni.
The special guest for the concert will be acclaimed guitarist, producer, and researcher Mono Mukundu.
Masike believes that culture is not static and must be developed as we progress.
She sees herself as a custodian of Zimbabwe’s culture and aims to preserve it while also taking it to new spaces and using it to express our beautifully different beliefs.
