For The Golden Stool or The story of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Gorges Ocloo has invited nine black women to gather in one place. The South-African soprano Nobulumko Mngxekeza-Nziramasanga and mezzo-soprano Nonkululeko Nkwinti are accompanied by a group of eight dancers, percussionists, and singers. They present an extraordinary mix of classics from the western opera repertoire. Ocloo transformed this material into an amazingly rhythmical, dynamic AfrOpera.

Together, they narrate the story of the War of the Golden Stool, a historical battle fought in 1900 between Great Britain and the female army of the Ashanti Empire, established by an ethnical group in the southern part of present-day Ghana (where Ocloo has his roots). The Warrior Queen Mother, Nana Yaa Asantewaa, led the army and commanded the resistance. An underexposed story from African history revolving around the power of symbols, the battle for independence and above all, around the woman who spearheaded the war until the end.

You can already purchase a day ticket or passe-partout for O. 2023 so you will have first choice when ordering specific tickets. The loose tickets for this performance will go on sale in early April. Would you like to receive the latest festival (ticket sales) updates? Register for the O. newsletter or follow us on social media!