Orpheus McAdoo: Revisiting the Musical Journey of the Virginia Jubilee Singers in Cape Town
Orpheus McAdoo and his Virginia Jubilee Singers made a significant impact when they arrived in Cape Town in 1890, bringing their powerful harmonies and songs of grief and grace to the southern continent. David Kramer's production, Orpheus McAdoo, revisits this historical journey at the Artscape Theatre from October 21 to November 2. The show combines Kramer's interest in hidden histories with the musical prowess of Cape Town Opera, blending past and present into a single narrative.
Kramer's fascination with McAdoo's story began with a photograph of African-Americans in Victorian attire in Cape Town, sparking his exploration into the life of the man who led a choir of African-American singers on a two-year tour through the colonial world. The Virginia Jubilee Singers, founded by McAdoo in 1889, followed in the footsteps of the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, introducing African-American spirituals to the world.
The performances of the Virginia Jubilee Singers in Cape Town were met with extraordinary popularity, likened to the Black Beatles in the region. The show delves into the reversal of history, with descendants of enslaved Africans returning across the Atlantic, carrying songs of freedom that were once sung in captivity. The music serves as a powerful act of remembrance, imagining how these harmonies resonated in venues across South Africa.
Orpheus McAdoo is not just a nostalgic tribute but a poignant exploration of the past and present. The show portrays the contrast between the harsh reality of the southern colonies and the artistry of the performers, highlighting the collision between performance and prejudice. The production's soundscape, featuring a hybrid cast of Cape Town Opera singers and theatre performers, offers a modern audience a glimpse into the musical legacy of the Jubilee Singers.
Through Orpheus McAdoo, Kramer continues his tradition of reclaiming silenced histories on stage. The show celebrates the dignity of artists whose music transcended boundaries and time, resonating with audiences then and now. By revisiting the past through sound, the production sheds light on stories that were once suppressed, bridging the gap between colonial audiences' wonder and today's recognition of overlooked narratives.
Orpheus McAdoo is a testament to the power of music in reclaiming lost histories and restoring dignity to forgotten voices. As the choir's harmonies fill the theatre, the show becomes a poignant reminder of a song once carried away, now returning home. Tickets for the production can be purchased through WebTickets or directly from Artscape.