Music and Sound as Narrative in Yoruba Opera: Analytical Study of Selected Ogunde Heritage Foundation Productions

This study undertakes an analytical examination of music and sound as primary narrative instruments in Yoruba opera, with specific focus on selected productions by the Ogunde Heritage Foundation. The Yoruba opera tradition, as established by Hubert Ogunde and perpetuated by the Ogunde Heritage Foundation, represents one of Africa's most distinctive theatrical genres, in which music, song, dance, and dramatic narrative are integrated into a seamless performance whole. The research analyses how musical composition, rhythmic structure, vocal performance, and percussion contribute to the advance of narrative, the establishment of character identity, and the generation of emotional affect in selected productions staged between 2018 and 2024. Data were gathered through attendance at live productions, analysis of audio and video recordings, interviews with musical directors and performers, and engagement with original musical scores where available. The study applies African musicology, music drama theory, and performance semiotics as analytical frameworks. The findings reveal that musical narrative in Yoruba opera operates through a complex system of rhythmic, melodic, and lyrical codes that are culturally specific and require sophisticated cultural literacy to fully decode. The research concludes that Yoruba opera music constitutes an autonomous narrative system worthy of dedicated musicological attention. Keywords: Yoruba opera, music as narrative, Ogunde Heritage Foundation, performance analysis, African theatre music.