Page 414 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

"I want to show the classical world through the eyes of a bass — a lot of villains, the
devil, a donkey. I think it’s quite rare to have a bass recital. I suppose taking
advantage that I’m different."

In Dunedin he will combine elements of both concerts with most of the second half in
English.

"I wanted there to be something for the purists but also be packaged in a way that it
is accessible. It’ll be a lot of fun."

Lemalu says the programme highlights his growth as a bass and performer.

"I play the idiots and that’s OK. I never get the girl and I very rarely win an argument
or war.

"When I was younger I wanted to be the lover, you go through that."

He now realises he has more scope as the devil or idiot than as the lover.
"You can use more of your personality, particularly with the idiots. It’s a chance to
laugh at myself. And not take myself quite so seriously which is an inherent part of
my personality so it’s not a huge stretch for me to laugh at myself or put on a
character that is really dark, who is murdering people."
These days he is better at finding the balance between singer and performer.

"In the past maybe I’ve over-acted under-sung."

Jonathan Lemalu playing Bottom/Pyramus in Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream in Tel
Aviv.

Surprisingly, Lemalu says he makes more effort to make sure he has his "vocal
ducks in a row" by going to more voice classes now than he did when he was
younger.