A powerful, warm and captivating bass baritone, Jonathan Lemalu is now one of the most sought-after talents on the international concert, operatic and recital circuit.

Booked years ahead for the most prestigious European and American concert halls, and with a three year recording contract with EMI Classics, Jonathan’s talent is drawing the spotlight on a world stage.

Critics and audiences in many countries have responded warmly to his generous stage presence and intelligent interpretive ability – and felt the greatness that is still maturing and unfolding. 

“Jonathan Lemalu’s voice is glorious, his stage presence warm and masterly” The Observer.

"A major new singing talent destined for greatness." Gramophone.

Critical Acclaim For Debut Album

Jonathan first recorded for EMI Classics in 2001 on the Debut label, to great critical acclaim.

Accompanied by pianist Roger Vignoles, the CD “Jonathan Lemalu, Roger Vignoles. Songs: Brahms, Faure, Finzi, Schubert", launched in London May 6, 2002, winning the prestigious Gramophone award for Best Debut Recording at the 2002 awards.

“Every so often a musician arrives on the scene with a talent so richly endowed that the musical world sits up and takes note. The New Zealand-born Samoan Jonathan Lemalu is one such.” Gramophone.

“Here is an enormous voice, of cavernous resonance and silken tone, in the control of an artist equipped with all the right musical instincts and intelligence.” The Sunday Times, London.

“A near-ideal debut recording ... the powerful, generous and warm timbre of Jonathan Lemalu's voice could almost have been created just for Brahms's Vier ernste Gesänge. Rondo, Germany.

“The 26-year-old New Zealand Samoan's Vier ernste Gesänge are wonderfully balanced. His voice is full of strength, the timbre warm and his textual understanding very fine." Fono Forum, Germany.

Jonathan Lemalu 'Opera Arias'

Jonathan has since been signed exclusively to the main EMI Classics label and released his first major EMI recording on 18 April 2005 - a selection of popular opera arias. 

Recorded with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, under the conductor James Judd, Jonathan sings some of the most famous bass and baritone roles in the operatic repertoire.  The arias include the comical Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and A un dottor della mia sorte from Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). Weightier roles include Die Frist ist um from Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) and L’onore! Ladri!, sung in the title role of Verdi’s Falstaff.

“… Lemalu has a strong, romantic voice and engaging presence which shines through…” Anthony Holden, The Observer, April 24, 2005.

Competitions And Awards

• 1997 Dame Sister Mary Leo Scholarship.
• 1998 New Zealand Mobil Song Quest.
• 1999 Australia's McDonald's Operatic Aria Contest at the Sydney Opera House.
• 2000 Inaugural Llangollen International Singer 2000 Competition.

Other Awards

• RCM Graziella Sciutti Recital Prize.
• RCM Keith Faulkner Oratorio Prize.
• 2000 LASMO Staffa Singers Prize.
• Bruce Millar/Gulliver Award for Young Opera Singers (Glasgow).
• Overall winner of the Royal Over-Seas League Competition (and Royal Over-Seas League Singers Prize, and Overseas Award).
• Richard Tauber Prize for Singers (Wigmore Hall).
• Concert FM Broadcasting Artist of the Year (NZ).
• 2000 recipient of the RCM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Rosebowl (presented by HRH Prince Charles) and NFMS Alfreda Hodgson Prize.

Scholarships

• Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Scholar.
• President Emerita Scholar, Leverhulme Trust Scholar, Tillet Trust Scholar and Singers Academy Scholar at the RCM.
• 2002/2003 BBC Young Generation Artist.

Background

Jonathan is a New Zealand-born Samoan, brought up in the southern city of Dunedin. Destined for a profession given to dramatic entrances, Jonathan suffered a hole in the heart when born in 1976 at Queen Mary Hospital in Dunedin, New Zealand – ensuring maximum attention.

Aptly christened Fa'afetai (Samoan for 'thank you'), by his loving parents Lemalu Nanai Foalima and Ali'itasi, Jonathan took to music as a boy soprano under the expert direction of Dr Raymond White in Dunedin.

Educated in Dunedin, Jonathan studied both Law and Music at the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1999.

He completed three years study at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in July 2002, taking with him the College’s highly esteemed gold medal. In his first year he completed a postgraduate certificate then gained a place on the two year RCM London Royal Schools Opera Course, now known as the RCM Benjamin Britten International Opera School.

Aged 29 in 2005, Jonathan has won his place on the world’s stage and looks forward to sharing his gift with the world of music lovers.