By Benjamin Njoku
It has been a busy season for classical music lovers in Lagos. Since last month, the MUSON Centre, Onikan has hosted concerts almost every weekend. Last Sunday was no exception.
Days after the ‘King Lemuel Recital Sponsors Concert’ at La Scala Hall, another memorable night unfolded at the Agip Recital Hall. ‘Sounds of Colour: Beyond the Spectrum 2026’, hosted by Genevieve Ogu-Odii, transported a discerning audience into a private world of transcendence and deep emotion.
This was not a typical rendition of soulful songs. It was a curated, premium concert experience where each colour of the spectrum was interpreted through classical, Broadway, crossover, pop and jazz performances, all tied together with immersive stage design.
Every element of the evening, from the lighting to the musical selection to the stage narrative, felt intentional and captivating.
This year’s edition took audiences deeper into that journey of colour and sound, presenting 11 distinct colour segments. Each segment had its own emotional world, musical identity and visual language.
According to Genevieve, the inaugural edition held last year at Alliance Française, Lagos sold out more than 24 hours before the event, with many intending guests unable to attend due to limited capacity. In response to the overwhelming demand, this year’s edition was moved to the Agip Recital Hall at MUSON Centre and it paid off.
“Sounds of Colour is not just a concert,” Genevieve explained. “It’s a story told in sound and hue, an emotional journey from darkness to light.”
Featuring an impressive lineup of singers, vocalists and music educators, including soprano soloists and talented instrumentalists, MUSON Centre was the place to be last Sunday as the concert lived up to expectations.
The night opened with the jubilant notes of “Misty Mountains”, rendered in black by Kenneth Ekhuemelo. That was followed by “Come Little Children” performed by Genevieve alongside Victus Eze. The hall erupted when Ebube Chukwuka delivered “The Impossible Dream” in blue.
Genevieve returned to perform “Once Upon a December” in lavender, before Mariagoretti Nnadi followed with “Memory”. Soprano Doris Osuagwu’s rendition of “The Flower Duet” alongside Genevieve was breathtaking, while Idono Onyibe and Emeka Nicholas’ take on “Summertime” took the audience on a nostalgic journey.
Doris Osuagwu’s “Song to the Moon” and Genevieve’s rendition of the evergreen “Vanilla Ice Cream”, the famous soprano showstopper from the 1963 Broadway musical left the audience nostalgic. It was an endless night of classical music, and everyone agreed they got value for their money.
From all indications, this year’s concert reflected Genevieve’s mission to make classical and crossover music more accessible, relatable and impactful.
