Opera mauritius

Opera and the Mauritian heritage

Operatic art in Mauritius goes back to the beginning of the history of the country. Around 1740, Mahé de Labourdonnais had the first hall on the island built where operas and plays were performed up to the end of the 18th century.But the islanders desired a real theatre and in 1822 the theatre of Port Louis was inaugurated, the first in the southern hemisphere. The inaugural evening, before a packed house, a comedy was performed, La partie de chasse d'Henri IV and an opera, La maison à vendre. This Italianate theatre welcomed French troupes throughout the 19th century who would arrive in Port Louis for a long theatrical season. Among others, were performed La Dame Blanche, William Tell, La Bohême, Norma, The Barber of Seville, L'Africaine, Il Trovatore, Rigoletto, La Juive, Aïda, Samson et Dalila…

The Plaza

Port Louis theatre

The opening of a second theatre in Rose-Hill in 1933 provided a new stage for opera. Artists such as the baritone Arthur Maurice and tenors Max Moutia and Henry Wilden went on to perform there throughout the 20th century. Operettas such as Monsieur Bourgogne, Les Pieds Nickelés, Coquin de Printemps and Quatre Jours à Paris were also enthusiastically received. From the 60s, performances became rarer, but operatic art has found a new lease of life in Mauritius at the beginning of this 21st century through the festival Opera Mauritius, which produced The Pearl Fishers in 2009 and Carmen in 2010.

Opera Mauritius has given opera, a vital facet of Mauritius's artistic heritage, a new lease of life on the national and international cultural scene.