Yinka Olatunbosun
Lagosians are set for bedazzling moments as music maestro, Lanre Delano, CEO, CHOPiN, Church Organ Projects in Nigeria, and the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 have concluded plans for an ongoing show called Evening of Classics.
The maiden edition held on Sunday June 6, 2021 had set the tone for the July edition to be held at The Rotunda, Ikoyi Club. The inaugural EoC began with an organ recital of Amazing Grace by Victor Asaolu, with a befitting kick start from the Entertainment Chairman Bolaji Martins.
Ademola Mumuney, Chairman, Ikoyi Club, in his opening speech, said, “This Evening of Classics is part of what we felt we should bring up so that every Ikoyi Club member enjoys their membership. There are a great deal of innovations we have for you, entertainment-wise. We want to step things up a little bit higher and try to bring back what used to happen such that even if it’s not the same, it’ll be very close to it.”
He also acknowledged the presence of Nollywood icon, Olu Jacobs, and Ex-Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Femi Pedro.
Taking back the microphone, Delano expressed his pleasure at the EoC which he labeled as music for matured minds and then introduced the first official performance, Jesu Joy of Man’s ‘Desiring’ by Biodun Falode on the organ and Biodun Adebiyi-Batik on the trumpet.
Their set moved the EoC along at its exciting pace which was sustained by the artistic director, Angela Loks. A goose-pimple moment it was with a vocal solo by the beautiful and charismatic soprano Lady Ifunanya belted ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from the popular musical movie, ‘Sound of Music,’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone,’ the Liverpool Football Club anthem.
John Eclou delivered a near flawless My Way by Frank Sinatra and O Sole Mio. In-between Ifunanya and Eclou’s solos, there was a medley of three classical hymns by Batik and Falode including the evergreen, ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy.’ A saxophone solo of the smash hit, Duduke by Simi prepared the way for the artistic director, Loks to also perform with Delano introducing her as a worthy soprano. Living up to the billing, she delivered a captivating rendition of ‘I Feel Pretty’ which was followed by the beautiful duet ‘Time to say Goodbye’ performed by Ifunanya and Eclou.
