Themba Mvula
baritone
Themba Mvula is an operatic baritone based in the UK. A versatile performer noted for the ‘range of his acting’ and his ‘rich and appealing baritone’, Themba was born and raised in Ndola, Zambia. He discovered a passion for singing at secondary school in North Wales and went on to study Vocal & Operatic Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Notable operatic roles include: Schaunard (La bohème) for English Touring Opera, Marullo (Rigoletto) for Opera North, Le Dancaïre (Carmen) for Opera Holland Park, The Engineer (Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk) for Birmingham Opera Company, Belcore (L’elisir d’amore) for King’s Head Theatre, and Frazier (Porgy and Bess) for Theatre an der Wien—after having worked as a soloist and member of the Olivier-Award-winning ensemble for English National Opera.
Themba is deeply committed to telling new stories and representing different experiences through new opera and music theatre. He premiered the role of Anthony in Blaze of Glory! for Welsh National Opera, and thrived in the demanding title role in Bhekizizwe by Robert Fokkens and Mkhululi Mabija in a filmed production for Opera Ddraig shown on the BBC. He starred as Vithobai in The Life to Come by Louis Mander and Stephen Fry for Surrey Opera, and is currently on tour with The F*gg*ts and their Friends Between Revolutions by Ted Huffman and Philip Venables for Factory International.
Themba is particularly passionate about involving young people in music and has collaborated with numerous schools and organisations, leading projects and workshops aimed at engaging and inspiring the next generation. He is the Musical Director of Lichfield Gospel Choir, and was shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society Inspiration Award for his work with them during the pandemic. He also conducted the specially formed choir for The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.
For Mahogany Opera: Roll Up! / Snappy Operas
