The Ndlovu Youth Choir from South Africa recently made a historic musical crossover in London, performing their isiZulu version of Bohemian Rhapsody on stage with Queen guitarist Sir Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. This performance was part of Taylor's Violence Insane in a Beautiful World tour at the legendary Roundhouse in London. The choir's team leader, Sandile Majola, described the experience as "mind-blowing" and hard to describe, recalling moments with the rock legends.
The collaboration began last year when the choir reimagined Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, incorporating Zulu clicks and whistles into the arrangement. The result was a unique version with only the iconic cry of "Galileo! Galileo!" remaining in the original English. The choir's artistic director, Ralf Schmitt, initially approached Sony with the arrangement but was turned down, prompting him to approach May, Taylor, and the Mercury Phoenix Trust directly.
Schmitt's persistence paid off, as May, Taylor, and the Mercury Phoenix Trust loved the new version and gave it their official blessing. The result, released last year, was the first legally authorised translation of Queen's iconic rock anthem to be commercially released. This collaboration marked a significant milestone for the choir and showcased their talent to a global audience.
Earlier this year, Taylor approached Schmitt with the idea of collaborating on two songs for his new album. The choir recorded their parts in South Africa, while Taylor and his band recorded in England. The choir's recent sold-out tour in the Netherlands was followed by an invitation from Taylor to perform with him in London, which Schmitt described as a "brilliant opportunity" that came at the right time.
The choir arrived in London and went straight to rehearsals with Taylor. Majola recalled the surreal experience of meeting Roger Taylor in real life, who was amazing and asked to have selfies with the choir members. The choir also got to meet Brian May, who expressed his admiration for their work and enthusiasm for their performance.
Monday's concert at the Roundhouse was sold out, and the choir's surprise appearance was a huge hit. Queen's official media channels described the night as "a real kind of magic", while Taylor responded to the praise on social media by thanking London and the choir. Entertainment journalists praised the visual scale and emotional impact of the performance.
The collaboration received widespread acclaim, with fans and online reviewers flooding social media with praise. The performance was described as a "legendary night to remember" and the "best concert seen in a long time". The Ndlovu Youth Choir's unique blend of African rhythms and Queen's classic rock anthems created an unforgettable experience for the audience.
Key points
- The Ndlovu Youth Choir performed their isiZulu version of Bohemian Rhapsody with Queen legends Brian May and Roger Taylor in London.
- The collaboration began with the choir's reimagining of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, incorporating Zulu clicks and whistles into the arrangement.
- The performance was a huge success, receiving widespread acclaim from fans, critics, and Queen's official media channels.
