Simon and the Queen

Home » Pretoria Opera Star Shibambu Performs Xhosa Song for the Queen

Pretoria Opera Star Shibambu Performs Xhosa Song for the Queen

South African bass-baritone Simphiwe Simon Shibambu sang for the Queen yesterday at a a Celebration of  the Commonwealth service which took place at Westminster Abbey in London. Shibambu delivered an incredibly moving performance of the traditional Xhosa song ‘Qongqothwane’, which clearly touched Queen Elizabeth II, who is head of the Commonwealth. She paused to chat with Shibambu for a […]

By SAPeople
15-03-16 15:53
in Fab South African Stuff
Simon and the Queen

South African bass-baritone Simphiwe Simon Shibambu sang for the Queen yesterday at a a Celebration of  the Commonwealth service which took place at Westminster Abbey in London.

Shibambu delivered an incredibly moving performance of the traditional Xhosa song ‘Qongqothwane’, which clearly touched Queen Elizabeth II, who is head of the Commonwealth. She paused to chat with Shibambu for a little longer than normal after the service. UK singer Ellie Goulding (seen on the right of Shibambu in the videos at the bottom of the page) also performed – singing ‘Fields of Gold’.

Shibambu, who hails from Pretoria, is currently doing his Masters in Vocal Performance at Royal College of Music in London. In a review of his performance in Ariodante this weekend, Fiona Maddocks from The Guardian wrote: “The singer I’ll be looking out for is bass-baritone Simon Shibambu, who sang the King with authority, anguish and a huge, resonant tone. He will join the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker young artists programme in September.”

Watch Video: South African Simon Shibambu performs Qongothwane

At yesterday’s Commonwealth service, the Queen was accompanied by her husband, Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate), Prince Harry and The Duke of York (Andrew).

Royal family members
Royal family members Prince William, Harry and Kate at yesterday’s service. Photo: The Royal Commonwealth Society

Ghanaian Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered the keynote Reflectionin which he said the “Commonwealth has a unique place and role within the international community” and today “stands as a confident, modern, multicultural and proudly inclusive organisation”.

Annan said it means “we must constantly strive to ensure that no child, woman or man is excluded or left behind” and that “it has never been more important for the Commonwealth to stress the bonds of human compassion and solidarity that unite us across the divides of race and religion, gender and geography.”

He also expressed his gratitude to the Queen for all she has done to support this endeavour and expressed his best wishes to her in the year in which she turns 90.

The Commonwealth Service is the UK’s largest multi-faith celebration and takes place annually on the second Monday in March at Westminster Abbey.

Watch Video: Queen Elizabeth II greets members of clergy and performers