Revolutionizing Opera: How Nigerian Roots Inspired ‘Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera’

My journey as a Nigerian-British woman in the world of classical music has often felt like a lonely one. It often feels like a rarified space with closed doors and no available seats at the table. Just like the road, I’m building my door, and I am building my own table.

Helen Epega

by Helen Epega

October 9, 2024 ∙ 6 min read

My mum told me I sang before I could talk. That makes perfect sense to me because that’s how I still process the world around me. I was born in Ibadan, Nigeria and grew up in Benin City, where my family is from. We moved to London when I was 7 years old. When I was little, we had a tradition called Family Sundays, which was a talent show in our sitting room.

Every Sunday after church, we would each perform a song or dance in front of the family (my parents, three sisters, my brother and I). It was pretty hardcore but fun. Sometimes, you would receive a rapturous standing ovation, and sometimes, you’d be laughed off the make-shift stage. I loved to perform Fela Kuti, Kate Bush and Yvonne Chaka Chaka. Oh my goodness, I really thought I was That Girl. It was such a magical time.

I am a working mother and a wife, and juggling both with my creative practice can be tough emotionally and physically. But I keep pushing forward because with this show, we revolutionised the world of opera, and we continue to harness the power of music to bring seemingly disparate communities together, find commonalities and celebrate each other wildly.

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