The Kimbangist Symphony Orchestra

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country utterly destroyed by war, pillage and corruption the mere existence of The Kimbangist Symphony Orchestra seems like a miracle. Founded in 1994 the orchestra consists of about 80 instrumentalists and a chorus of about 60 members. Most have paid for instruments out of their own pockets, others rely on Albert Matubanza who taught himself how to build string instruments using wood from the local market and cable wire to replace broken strings. Scores of Händel's "Messiah", Verdi's "Nabucco" or Mozart's "Requiem" are often copied by hand. The orchestra is committed to popularizing classical music in their country.