Amici de Lumine

 About us

Established in October  2010 by Maestro Michaelangelo Cloete in his final post-graduate year at the South African College of Music (SACM at UCT), the long-standing choir embraces members from all walks of life. 

From inception, the focus has been on rehearsing and performing sacred choral music with an emphasis on debuting the works of young composers, often from SACM’s composition department.

Maestro Michaelangelo embraces diverse voices and skill sets as he uplifts and trains the individual members evoking a haunting, ethereal choral sound created through expertly blending vocal timbres.

Emulating Amici de Lumine, Italian for Friends of the Light, he and his choir strive to bring light to all through the experience of their performances.

Although the initial vision of the choir has changed over the years, becoming a non-profit organisation aiming to educate and inspire those who were unable to afford music or vocal tuition, the resonating voices have become a trademark of the choir.

The choir has performed many international and national choral pieces by well known composers with their repertoire consists mainly of modern choral music, the likes of Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo and Jake Runestad, local composer and member, Stephen Arendse as well as  Dr Martin Watt, our raison d'etre this evening.

One of their crowning moments was during the 2017 Suidoosterfees where they not only won their section of the choral competition, but also the overall choral competition. 

Amici de Lumine has also been a part of the Choral Celebration Network Festival since 2019 and have participated in several of their Cape Town events, most recently the 2022 Festival at Cape Town City Hall.

With a heart for charity causes, in 2018, Amici de Lumine performed at the Guide Dogs Association of South Africa Choral Festival Fundraiser, and joined the Endler Hall Concert Series with the German Neuer Kammerchor and Khayelitsha-based Simon Estes Choir.

As with most things in the post-COVID-19 pandemic landscape, Amici de Lumine is undergoing a renaissance striving to bring modern choral music to the world stage.

Amici de Lumine is currently seeking sponsorship to further their reach and perform on a national and international level. For more information, email amicidelumine.za@gmail.com