By Elizabeth Adeyemo
THE 14th annual Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Festival kicked off  on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 with a variety of programmes crafted to capture the interest of lovers of art and music.

The theme of this year’s event which commenced at the Muson centre Onikan Lagos, is Africa meets Europe.

The world class show which ends in two weeks time, had celebrated pianist and composer, Mr. Ayo Bankole setting the stage  in a concert with the organisation’s Artistic Director and internationally renowned cellist, Mr. Thomas Kanitz.

The Brandler Youth Concert, a concert-competition which was created to encourage and celebrate excellent artistry in the youths will be on today and will bring to a befitting and rousing end, the youth talent hunt; Musiquest.

In a Dinner and Dance HI-life Nite sponsored by Midwestern Oil & Gas Company Plc, taking place on Saturday, two masters of Nigerian Highlife, Prof. Sir Victor Uwaifo and Dr. Victor Olaiya will take the audience on a journey down memory lane with scintillating musical performances titled Two Victors no Vanquish at the Shell Nigeria Hall.

Another interesting feature of the Festival is the Classical Concert, which features accomplished pianist and organist, Babatunde Sosan in concert with Thomas Kanitz who performs both as a soloist and conductor of the MUSON Symphony Orchestra. Also, there will be performances from Mozart’s Opera, the Magic Flute by vocal soloists and ensembles.

Other features of the arts and culture festival include, My kind of music which involves Arunma Oteh, Disun Holloway and the revered Akinpelu Johnson; a drama titled When the Arrow Rebounds, a stage adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God  done by Emeka Nwokedi, Choral Concert and The Pirates of Penzance.