KINSHASA – A group of musicians in Congo have officially formed OPERANAUTS DRC (National Artists United To Serve with OPERA in DRC), a nonprofit association of dues-paying members that seeks to mentor aspiring Congolese musicians and promote the art of opera.
The Kinshasa-based group is made up of musicians trained through the fellowship and residency programs of OPERAnauts, Inc., a U.S. nonprofit founded in 2013 to inspire growth in Congo through opera music initiatives.
The ten founding members of OPERANAUTS DRC asbl include: Diego Tara, Dorcas Maskia Nende, Samuel Niaty Dikasia, Junior Yakusu Itambo, Catherine Joy Bechtler, Jossy Kapinga Boula-Boula, Juliana Tshibola Mamba, Grâce Kaviranende, Jusline Tazi Diakongo, and Divin Fimbo Nduku.
A committee of these young professionals will form the production team to direct the Joy Happenings festival, a series of opera concerts and competitions to be held in Kinshasa. OPERAnauts’ executive committee in New Jersey will lend administrative support to the effort.
“I am really pleased to have been part of the creation of this group dedicated to spreading the joy of music-making in Kinshasa,” Bechtler said.
The Joy Happenings Festival is planned for April 2022.