Opera mauritius

The Opera Mauritius Choirs

The Opera Mauritius Choir was formed in early 2009 for the first season of the new Opera Mauritius by founder Paul Olsen and German soprano Katrin Caine. Most of the 47 members are Mauritian and come from The Magoakan, a choir created two years previously in 2007 when the Fondation Spectacles et Culture produced Lehar’s Le Pays du Sourire. All are dedicated and enthusiastic amateurs with a passion for singing who meet on a weekly basis to rehearse from at least 6 months before the festival.

The Opera Mauritius Choir was a star performer in the Pearlfishers in 2009 and Carmen in 2010, singing alongside a host of professional soloists and accompanied by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. In March 2011 the Choir was invited to perform four concerts on the occasion of Mauritian Independence Day by the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Culture et Avenir office of the Prime Minister, and is currently preparing for La Traviata in October.

The Opera Mauritius Children’s Choir was created for Carmen and is composed of 33 members. The Children’s Choir was also an integral part of the Independence Day Concerts of March 2011 and many of its members are preparing for important roles in the Opera Mauritius production of Hansel and Gretel in July 2011.

Both choirs are directed by German soprano Katrin Caine, Head of the Vocal Training Programme and the Young Artists Programme of Opera Mauritius. Katrin Caine is assisted by opera répétiteur Paul Wilmot and pianist Cyril Joseph.

Those interested in joining either choir are invited to contact Katrin Caine to organize an audition.

‘The performance of the Mauritian choir is one of the many pleasant surprises of this production.’
L’express, 12th Sept 2010