Raymond Luedeke

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Baritone, Dancer/Drummer, Oboe (Doubling English Horn), Synthesizer, and 3 Percusison

Composer's Note:

Using a traditional story from East/Central Africa, Raymond Luedeke, with the advice and assistance of Joseph Ashong, master drummer from Ghana, has woven together elements of traditional African music and dance with more contemporary sounds to create a unique blend that will delight audiences of all ages.

Ntobuasie, a young girl wanting her freedom from grown-up rules, becomes trapped in a magic drum controlled by an Ogre, Foowala. When Foowala plays his drum, Ntobuasie must sing; and when Ntobuasie sings, she so delights the villagers that they bring the starving Foowala "chicken and rice, potatoes, tomatoes with butter and cream." But Menpaba and Enidaso, Ntobuasie's rather straight-laced parents, are not willing to easily lose their beloved daughter. Leaving all they have behind them, they set off in search of the itinerant Ogre and his mysterious drum. Eventually all is resolved, there is a happy conclusion, and some valuable lessons are learned by Ntobuasie, by her parents and by a contrite Ogre.