The innovation in this year's concert was the introduction, at the suggestion of Total, of pieces by Nigerian classical music composers and compositions in African and Nigerian languages.

The Concert was the third programme of the two-week MUSON 2005 Festival and it lived up to its billings. It was a departure from the past as songs were rendered in English and the various Nigerian languages, with local musical instruments as accompaniments. It is noteworthy that each work was greeted with great applause by the appreciative audience.

The first part featured: "Why not sing of Joy", "Soldiers Chorus" (From Faust), "Brindisi" (Drinking song from La Traviata) and "Banquet Fugue". Other renditions were: "The Lord is my Light", "Pie Jesu" and three Nigerian folk songs - "Jemine" (Itsekiri), "Fun Mi N'Ibeji" (Yoruba) and "Ayi le l'egwuma" (Idoma).

During the short interval, the members of the audience had light refreshments and then returned for another round of good music. Songs in the second part included: "The Lord is my Shepherd", "Choral Fantasia", "Habanera" (From Carmen), "Modupe/Nagode/Imela" and "Ose va", an Edo Highlife tune. Other renditions were: "Mangwani (South African), "Anigye Aba", a Ghananian tune and "Jehova Emewo", an Igbo song.

The excellent rendition of the French Composer, Bizet's Habanera by the Nigerian soprano- Oby Ibegbulam - received long and enthusiatic ovation as she gave the song the touch an international diva like the big black Jessye Norman.

The songs were rendered by the multi-cultural, 55-person MUSON Festival Choir, conducted by Mr. Emeka Nwokedi, an experienced and accomplished musician, music lecturer and composer.

To the members of the audience on that beautiful Sunday evening, it was time well spent.