Maestro Michaelangelo Cloete is the conductor and master vocal coach of the Amici de Lumine Choir (ADLC).

His introduction to music started at the tender age of 6 years old when he was recruited by several children’s choirs. After singing for these children’s choirs, he progressed to Pro Cantu Youth Choir, under the batons of Andre van der Merwe and Leon Starker.

Following choral singing, he became engrossed in the opera world, studying opera performance at the University of Cape Town (UCT). He performed in several operas from 2007-2013, most notably L'incoronazione di Poppea, Tales of Hoffmann, Don Giovanni, La’boheme, Il viaggio a rheims, Le Nozze Di Figaro, and The Cunning Little Vixen. His experience and skill inevitably caused him to be selected for a university exchange programme to Brown University in Rhode Island, USA.

For both the traditional operas and for Songs My Mother Taught Me, he was directed by Angelo Gobbato, who still refers to him as ‘My Spalanzani’ from Tales of Hoffmann.

During his opera studies, his main vocal training was guided by international conductor and vocal coach, Prof Kamal Khan, and internationally recognised soprano and vocal coach, Hanna van Niekerk. He also received coaching from bass-baritone, Patrick Tikolo and tenor, Sidwill Hartman.

Towards the end of his opera studies, he was selected to be the Chorus Master of the UCT Opera Chorus because of his vocal training and balancing abilities. Commentators have noted that his collaboration with Prof Kamal Khan on producing quality sound is unmistakable.

On completion of his studies in opera, he pursued choral conducting under Antoinette Blythe and continued vocal training with Hanna van Niekerk, during which he established the Amici de Lumine choir (ADLC) in October 2010. Since ADLC’s inception, he has been recognised for distinct qualities: textured sound, brilliance of vocal colour, clashing harmonies, and chilling dissonance. As a result, international composers have commissioned music for his interpretation, such as Dr Martin Watt and Santiago Veros. Furthermore, music producers have

requested ADLC to perform music for local movies and large concerts.

In 2018 during ADLC’s debut in ATKV/Rapport Suidoosterfees Competition they won the mixed choir category and overall competition scoring an average of 90%.

One of his former vocal students Yanga Sobetwa was also crowned South African Idol for 2018.

In 2019, as a part of CCNF’s Christmas Carols Concert, not only did Amici de Lumine perform to rave reviews, but Michaelangelo’s rendition of Amazing Grace as a part of the Three Tenors performance drew audience members to their feet.

Michaelangelo’s extensive skill set has been further utilised in his role at Rallim Modern Learning Environment as associate head of Arts and Events since its establishment in 2019.