Jonathan Lemalu

Who is Jonathan Lemalu?

Jonathan Fa'afetai Lemalu is a bass baritone opera singer. Born to Samoan parents who had emigrated to New Zealand, he was educated in Dunedin. He 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, winning the college's gold medal award in 2002, and the prestigious London based Kathleen Ferrier Award 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.

Lemalu's wife is the Croatian mezzo-soprano Sandra Martinovic, with whom he has given joint recitals. He lives in London with his wife and their son.