Holy Week 2026 will have a special poignancy, with an exceptional concert scheduled for Holy Wednesday, April 1, at the Caudan Arts Centre. Bringing together soprano Claire Mascarin, French countertenor Fabrice Di Falco and Ensemble 415 conducted by Guy-Noël Clarisse, the evening will feature an interpretation of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, a poignant work celebrating the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross.
Composed in the earlye century, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater remains one of the most moving pages in the Baroque sacred repertoire. This musical meditation on maternal pain has a particular resonance during Holy Week, the liturgical moment when the Passion of Christ is commemorated. The marriage of the voices of Claire Mascarin and Fabrice Di Falco, supported by the finesse of Ensemble 415, promises an intimate and intense interpretation of this timeless work.
But the event doesn’t end with this musical evening. Fabrice Di Falco, a well-known figure in the French operatic world and creator of the Concours des voix d’outre-mer, will be hosting a masterclass on April 4, 2026 at the Caudan Arts Centre. This initiative, supported by Claire Mascarin, aims to offer Mauritian singers top-level professional support, far from the major European artistic hubs such as Paris or London.
The Concours des voix d’outre-mer, founded by Di Falco, seeks to promote talent far removed from traditional circuits, offering them visibility and training opportunities. By bringing the countertenor to Mauritius, Claire Mascarin hopes to create a local echo to this approach: to enable Mauritian artists to benefit from the gaze of an international professional, to obtain constructive feedback on their technique and interpretation, and to orient themselves towards higher education courses suited to their ambitions.
This dual initiative – sacred concert and educational transmission – illustrates a desire to nurture the Mauritian musical scene by building bridges with international artistic excellence. A rare opportunity for music lovers and young talent on the island to experience exceptional musical moments, while opening up concrete prospects for artistic development.