Research
The Mauritian ravane, a traditional séga instrument.
I am very interested in political sponsorship of the arts, and in situations where musical practice is co-opted or adapted for political ends. Currently, I am engaged in writing a musical history of the island of Mauritius in the southern Indian Ocean. Some of my other research interests that I am presently pursuing or have pursued in the recent past include:
The 2012 International Kreol Festival in Mauritius. December 2012.
- Reformation hymnody
- 16th-century Anglo-French motet manuscripts
- 17th-century Roman sacred opera
- Nationalism in French opéra comique during the July Monarchy (1830-1848)
- American Musical Theatre (especially P.G. Wodehouse and racism in the theatre)
For information about my conference activities, please see the About page.
French and Australian tourists dancing séga on a catamaran in Mauritius, as the boat’s Mauritian crew look on.