Jonathan Lemalu
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Fa'afetai Lemalu (born 1976) is a New Zealand
opera
singer, of Samoa
n descent. Born in Dunedin
, he sings in the bass baritone register.
Educated in Dunedin, Jonathan studied both Law and Music at the University of Otago
, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1999.
Lemalu studied at the Royal College of Music
(RCM) winning the college's gold medal award in 2002, and the prestigious London based Kathleen Ferrier Award
(previously won by Malvina Major
in 1966) also in 2002. He was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist
from 2002-2004. He was the 2004 winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society
's award for Young Artist of the Year.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
singer, of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
n descent. Born in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, he sings in the bass baritone register.
Educated in Dunedin, Jonathan studied both Law and Music at the University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1999.
Lemalu studied at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
(RCM) winning the college's gold medal award in 2002, and the prestigious London based Kathleen Ferrier Award
Kathleen Ferrier Award
The Kathleen Ferrier Award is a prestigious contest for Opera singers held each April in London, England. The first competition was held in 1956. Originally conceived to offer a prize equivalent to a year's tuition plus support, the competition now offers a first prize of £10,000, a second prize...
(previously won by Malvina Major
Malvina Major
Dame Malvina Lorraine Major, GNZM, DBE is a New Zealand opera singer. She was born in Hamilton, New Zealand into a large musical family. As a child she performed at various concerts, singing mainly country and western pop and music from the shows. She received her first classical training in 1955,...
in 1966) also in 2002. He was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist
BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme
BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme was devised by BBC Radio 3 Editor Adam Gatehouse and launched in 1999. It exists as part of the BBC's commitment to nurture young musical talent. Every autumn six to seven young artists who are beginning to make a mark on the national and international...
from 2002-2004. He was the 2004 winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society
Royal Philharmonic Society
The Royal Philharmonic Society is a British music society, formed in 1813. It was originally formed in London to promote performances of instrumental music there. Many distinguished composers and performers have taken part in its concerts...
's award for Young Artist of the Year.
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.
- 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 HallWigmore HallWigmore Hall is a leading international recital venue that specialises in hosting performances of chamber music and is best known for classical recitals of piano, song and instrumental music. It is located at 36 Wigmore Street, London, UK and was built to provide London with a venue that was both...
). - Concert FMConcert FMRadio New Zealand Concert is a publicly-funded non-commercial New Zealand FM radio network owned by Radio New Zealand, which broadcasts classical and jazz music, as well as regular news updates from Radio New Zealand News....
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.
- Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Scholar.
- President Emerita Scholar, Leverhulme Trust Scholar, Tillet Trust Scholar and Singers Academy Scholar at the RCM.
- BBC Radio 3 New Generation ArtistBBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists schemeBBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme was devised by BBC Radio 3 Editor Adam Gatehouse and launched in 1999. It exists as part of the BBC's commitment to nurture young musical talent. Every autumn six to seven young artists who are beginning to make a mark on the national and international...
2002-2004