One of our finest and most accomplished singers today.
— The Sunday Times of Malta
Critically acclaimed Maltese soprano Miriam Cauchi has garnered recognition both in her home country and internationally. Known for her emotionally expressive performances, she showcases great versatility across various genres, with a repertoire ranging from opera to lied and contemporary works.
Miriam, one of Malta’s leading sopranos, has performed as a soloist in various opera productions and concerts at various prestigious venues and festivals in Malta. She has regularly sung at Teatru Astra, Teatru Aurora, Teatru Manoel, Mediterranean Conference Centre, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Victoria International Arts Festival (Malta), and the Malta Arts Festival. She has also performed with various orchestras, including the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the European Union Chamber Orchestra, and the Berlin Symphonic Orchestra.
Miriam is also a major ambassador of Maltese vocal music, both in Malta and overseas, having sung and recorded important compositions by Abos, Camillieri, Diacono, Isouard, Vassallo, Vella, and Zerafa.
In addition to being one of the most respected sopranos in her country, Miriam has also gained recognition beyond Malta’s shores, where she has performed extensively.
Most notable among these venues and festivals are the Berlin Konzerthaus, Festival-Mitte-Europa (Germany), Maribor National Theatre (Slovenia), Bulgaria’s Varna Theatre, Provadia Theatre, and National Palace of Culture-NDK, Tabor Theatre (Czech Republic), Lucca (Italy), in Lisbon (Portugal), and at the Lincoln Center (USA).
Miriam has performed several leading roles alongside some of the world’s most renowned vocal artists, including Maria Guleghina, Francesca Patanè, Joseph Calleja, and Badri Maisuradze.
She has also worked with international conductors Lior Shambadal, Eric Hull, Steven Mercurio, Hans-Peter Hofmann, David Svec, Ivan Vulpe, Michalis Economou, Philip Walsh, and with Maltese conductors Joseph Vella, Brian Schembri, and Michael Laus. Internationally acclaimed artistic directors she has worked with include Mario Corradi and Marco Gandini.
Miriam has received critical acclaim for her performance in L’Elisir d’Amore (Adina), Un Ballo in Maschera (Oscar), La Cambiale di Matrimonio (Fanny), Pagliacci (Nedda), Le Villi (Anna), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), Turandot (Liù), La Bohème (Mimì), Rigoletto (Gilda), La Traviata (Violetta), and Otello (Desdemona). She will also star in the upcoming performance of Diacono’s L’Alpino and has, most recently, performed in the premier of Vella’s Valeriana - The Titan’s Rock.
Her repertoire extends beyond opera, with successful performances of sacred, orchestral, and chamber works. These include Handel’s Messiah, Rossini’s, Abos’s and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Mass in C, Vassallo’s Requiem, Camilleri’s Pawlu ta' Malta, Lloyd Weber’s Requiem, Vella’s Il-Belt Rebbieħa & Mass in D, Strauss’s Vier Letzte Lieder and Brentano Songs Op 68, Berg’s Sieben Frühe Lieder, Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, and Dvořàk’s Cigànské Melodie Op 55.
Miriam also premiered Vella’s Dust on the Path, Kant ta' Mara, and Vella Gregory’s song cycle Mill-Qamar sal-Qabar, all of which were composed with her voice in mind.
A project that is very close to Miriam’s heart is Riflessi – Art Songs from Malta. This recording of Maltese art songs, ranging from late Mediaeval kanti to contemporary ones, is the first compilation of its kind.
Her latest DVD Lux Aeterna, a collaboration with cellist Simon Abdilla Joslin, comprises a selection of sacred songs intended for Holy Week and it includes the premiering of two new Maltese works. This recording was broadcast on TVM, the Maltese national television channel, on many occasions.
A passionate educator, Miriam currently holds the post of Senior Voice Tutor at the Malta School of Music, where she has been teaching since 1999. She is in constant search for innovative pedagogical approaches while remaining a fervent believer in the old school of Bel Canto. As a voice tutor, she works with promising young singers, coaching them in their vocal development and guiding them along their budding careers.
Between 2013 and 2018, she held the post of Principal Voice Tutor at the Manoel Theatre Youth Opera (TMYO), after which she took on the role of Artistic Coordinator of the first edition of the Singer Artistic Tool Box, a course aimed at classical voice singers interested in furthering their holistic skills on stage. In November 2020 she successfully delivered a masterclass in opera and lied organised by the Victoria International Arts Festival.
Miriam graduated with full honours from the Sofia State Music Academy Panchio Vladigerov in Bulgaria under the tuition of Prof. Blogovesta Dobreva, furthering her studies with Juliette Bisazza Zanni and Magda Olivero. She is the recipient of the Gheorghi Zlatev Cherkin Competition and the Bulgarian XIV National Competition Svetoslav Obretenov.
Miriam Cauchi was appointed to the National Order of Merit – M.O.M. in 2009. This honour is given by the President of Malta to persons who distinguish themselves in their respective fields and is the highest honour the Maltese government may confer upon its citizens.