We’ll rebrand Abuja through the Opera Abuja Concert –Maria Schmillen

First of all, I was singing popular music. Then I studied law because like in Nigeria, people in my country think that if you study music, you won’t have a good professional life or that there are few places where you can develop. But at the end, the love for music was so strong and […]

First of all, I was singing popular music. Then I studied law because like in Nigeria, people in my country think that if you study music, you won’t have a good professional life or that there are few places where you can develop. But at the end, the love for music was so strong and I felt that I had to do something for music. I started studying pedagogic music but changed my mind because that was not what I wanted. Later, somebody discovered me singing at the same university and asked why I was not a singer. By the way, it also led me to something else because whenever I see young people trying to sing and they don’t have the chance, I remember the time when I also thought that I could achieve very little with music.

How did you meet your husband?

At that time, I was in Europe studying at a musical school in Strassburg in Austria where somebody who saw me singing recommended me for a scholarship programme. So I was always coming to my country, Chile on a number of culturally related trips. On one of those trips when I was working with the Germans in a very large theatre, somebody introduced me to the then German ambassador to Chile and eventually, I was invited for the German National Day celebration and we got to meet and know each other.

It was really very strange because I had lived in Europe for 14 years and I came to Chile to marry a German! And after spending one year in Chile, we came to Nigeria. So I had to stop my music career in Chile to come to Nigeria. At first it was tough but I later adjusted. But look at what has been happening, especially with the fact that I am involved in so many things like teaching music, singing, organizing myself, making friendships and getting to know Nigeria much better in a different way. The most important thing is that I had the luck to see, learn and appreciate the talents in this country. It is a privilege to be here.

So far, which places have you visited in Nigeria?

Lots of places. I am very much in love with Calabar. I also love Lagos although I was completely shocked at the beginning. Later, I got the motivation and zeal to explore the city. I have also been to the north to see the Sultan of Sokoto. I went by road because my husband loves the view of the countryside. Then we were at Obudu Ranch and so many other places I can’t really describe. We went by road because it is more interesting that way.

So, what was the experience like, driving from Abuja to Sokoto and back by road?

It was so beautiful. The country is so rich and beautiful with so many natural landmarks. I really love the north so much.

What is your perception of the people?

I try to see more or less the tendencies, for instance, the Yoruba culture is so rich in music and it is amazing. A Yoruba person is not really complicated but he thinks in a different way. Then I know the Hausa people, they are fantastic, so easy going and nice and the music is very good. Then the Igbo too are wonderful. They are full of life and ideas.

Abuja metropolitan music society came into being in May 2007. Our vision is for people to begin to appreciate classical music in Nigeria and also, we are focusing on the youths who are talented to showcase to Nigerians that the project is really worthwhile. For instance, in the Opera Abuja that is coming up on the 16th of November, a lot of children will be singing along with the adults.

What have been your major activities?

We have been able to sustain the yearly Opera Abuja concert since 2007. We have been singing from one occasion to the other, trying to create awareness and interest in the classical music. We have also liaised with the Rochas Foundation in the past but the dream is really to capture the children especially the less privilileged, those who have the talents but don’t have the means to go further in life.

How do you get these talents?

It’s open to anybody. People who come tend to pass the information across. For instance, those who claim to have the talent are tested and even those who are not really that good are also upgraded through training and all that. In terms of sponsorship, we are grateful to the German Embassy and Trancorp Hilton Hotel for their support.  We usually use Hilton Hotel as our rehearsal venue.

Cont’d on page 5a