All eyes will turn to the Stade de France on 28 October for the highly anticipated Rugby World Cup 2023 final. After the 47 matches held over the course of eight weeks, two teams will have the opportunity to play for the legendary Webb Ellis Cup. It promises to be a spectacular event, on and off the pitch.
As part of the day’s celebrations, Rugby World Cup France 2023 announced that international music artist Mika will deliver a unique five-minute pre-match performance.
He will be joined on stage by children of la Maîtrise Populaire de l’Opéra. Together they will perform an energetic and colourful medley that will incorporate some of Mika’s biggest hits, rearranged for this occasion, taking the audience on an exciting musical journey.
La Melee des Choeurs: a celebration of togetherness
Launched in collaboration with the French ministries of Education, Culture and the Opéra Comique, La Mêlée des Choeurs is a first-of-its-kind project, with a triple dimension: artistic, pedagogic and experiential.
7,000 children across France were chosen to record and perform the national anthems of the 20 participating nations of Rugby World Cup 2023, accompanied by la Maîtrise Populaire de l’Opéra Comique, as well as their teachers and music professors, trained for one year by the teachers of la Maîtrise Populaire de l’Opéra Comique, including artistic director Sarah Kone.
Announced as an ambassador of the programme in May 2023, Mika has since worked together with La Mêlée des Choeurs to deliver the anthems of Rugby World Cup 2023 on what promises to be a memorable pre-final show.
Mika said: “I am thrilled to be a part of this final match of Rugby World Cup 2023. The aim of this show is to create a flash of good energy, to spread love, colour and joy with the kids of la Maîtrise Populaire de l’Opéra Comique so that everyone can enjoy the anthems and an amazing match of rugby with all the intensity it deserves.”
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Rugby World Cup 2023 final will be the sporting event of the year and we are delighted to welcome renowned international artist Mika for the occasion.
Rugby fans in the stadium and around the world will be able to experience a spectacular and colourful music show that will set the tone for an epic finale to the France 2023 journey.”
Jacques Rivoal, Chairman of France 2023, said: “We are thrilled to have Mika, along with the kids of la Maîtrise Populaire de l’Opéra Comique, as part of our programme for the final.
Their participation promises to make this an event to remember, blending the passion of rugby with the magic of music. It’s going to be an incredible way to wrap up this exceptional Rugby World Cup 2023.”