Renowned organist, Olivera visits Nigeria February 16

Ahead of the visit of one of the world’s finest organists to the country, Hector Olivera, Church Organ Projects In Nigeria (CHOPIN) and Allen Organ Company, are leaving no stone unturned, as they are perfecting arrangements to ensure the maestro has nice time in Lagos.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of CHOPIN, the sole distributor of Allen Organ in Nigeria, Lanre Delano, who is also the Coordinator of Organ Concert, the event which is tagged ‘An Enchanted Evening with the Organ Maestro, Hector Olivera’ will be hold on Sunday, February 16, at the recently dedicated sanctuary of All Souls’ Anglican Church, Lekki.

Delano stated that the event is very significant for the host companies, CHOPIN and Allen Organ Company due to the calibre of the organist being invited. He added that Olivera is no doubt a big player in the world of organ music.

Delving into the history of the maestro, Delano stated that Olivera, is a passionate, gifted, and unique musician, whose personal interpretations of both classical and popular music have amazed and delighted audiences around the world. “He is one of the top 20 organists in the world,” he said.

Born in Buenos Aires, Olivera’s first teacher, who was his father, encouraged him to begin playing the pipe organ when he was three. Two years later, he was appointed organist of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. At age 5, he played for the legendary Eva Perón; at six, he entered the Buenos Aires Conservatory to study harmony, counterpoint and fugue. By age nine, he had composed a suite for oboe and string orchestra, performed by the Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra.

“At age twelve, Mr. Olivera entered the University of Buenos Aires where he studied with Hector Zeoli and Juan Francisco Giacobbe. By eighteen, he had performed more than three hundred concerts throughout Latin America, appearing frequently on Argentinean radio and television.” he added.

Delano further stated that throughout Olivera concert career, he has performed in prestigious venues including the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Carnegie Hall in New York, Royal Albert Hall in London, Spivey Hall in Atlanta, Constitution Hall in Washington D.C, the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Myerson Concert Hall in Dallas, Verizon Hall in Philadelphia, Siegers Melbourne Town Hall and Brisbane City Hall in Australia among many other places of repute.

He explained that the visit is Olivera’s first time in Africa and it’s courtesy of CHOPIN, adding that the event is opened to all lovers of good classical music.

“We are not just trading company at CHOPIN, we give more value to lovers of organ music, which is the reason we are making the concert a ticket free one,” Delano stated.