Africa-Press – Ghana. A Ghanaian opera, “Gifts for Christ: An Opera of Nine Lessons and Carols,” is set to reinterpret the traditional service with an African and contemporary lens, while remaining true to the biblical narrative.
The production is scheduled for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Association International School, following its media launch at the St. Anthony of Padua Anglican Church, Abelenkpe.
The opera seeks to present the traditional narrative of mankind’s salvation beyond church walls through a culturally infused artistic performance.
It would visually interpret the Nine Lessons, from the fall of Adam in Genesis to the Incarnation in John 1:1, to enable audiences to grasp the full scope of God’s salvation plan.
Reverend Dr Akua B. Ofori-Boateng, Creative Director and Director of Programmes for the Anglican Diocese of Accra, said the core aim was to present God in a new way.
“The idea is, how do we get other people to hear about God, to really understand what is this whole nine lessons and carols about? How do we do it outside of the church? Because Christ said go. He didn’t say stay in the church,” she said.
Mr Kwaku Boakye-Frempong, Music Director and Composer, explained that the opera blends Ghanaian musical elements with the traditionally Western genre.
“We wanted to take what is traditionally Western and infuse and incorporate who we are,” he said, confirming the use of traditional African instruments such as the seprewa and the Malian kora.
Mr Boakye-Frempong said the production was designed to appeal to a broad audience by incorporating classical, Afropop, and dancehall musical styles.
“The casting process was unique, selecting musicians who are acting traditionally trained singers handpicked for their voices, for whom the music was then composed,” he added.
He assured audiences of “something beautiful, something truly true,” highlighting the calibre of African and Ghanaian voices performing the intricate score.
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