Dive into the magical tones of one of Africa’s most prominent musicians, Angelique Kidjo, as she is joined by the incredible New Haven Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Alasdaire Neale. A Grammy winner five times over, Kidjo entrances listeners by seamlessly mixing genres and powerful messages in her music. A night of musical pleasure that’s not to be missed!
The 1A's Article on Angelique Kidjo »
New Haven Symphony Orchestra with Angelique Kidjo
KeyBank Concert Series
Angelique Kidjo
Four-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with fourteen albums to her name. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva”, and named her one of the most influential people in the world for 2021; The BBC, Forbes Magazine, and The Guardian have all highlighted her importance to the people of the African continent. She is the recipient of the 2015 Crystal Award given by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the 2016 Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award, and the2018 German Sustainability Award.
As a performer, her striking voice, stage presence and fluency in multiple cultures and languages have won respect from her peers and expanded her following across national borders. Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America.
Angelique also advocates on behalf of children as a UNICEF and OXFAM Ambassador. She created her own charitable foundation, Batonga, dedicated to support the education of young girls in Africa.
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New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Deeply committed to new American music, the NHSO performed 13 world premieres from 2007-2019, and the orchestra received the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming in both 2010 and 2014. The NHSO was the recipient of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce’s First Annual Sunspot Innovation Award in 2018.
The NHSO’s Education Programs wide-ranging menu of opportunities include statewide Young People’s Concerts, free Family Concerts, School Night at the Symphony, the Listen Up! Podcast Series, free KidTix, the Junior Board, and the Young Composer’s Project.
The orchestra’s innovative approach to increasing diversity and inclusion in classical music has been recognized nationally. Through the Harmony Fellowship for Underrepresented Musicians, as well as numerous education and community engagement programs, the Symphony strives to be a leader for racial equity in the arts. These ongoing efforts have earned the NHSO recognition and awards from the League of American Orchestras, the Getty Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.
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