Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bass Blaise Malaba studied in Ukraine before training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and thereafter as a member of the prestigious Jette Parker Young Artist Progamme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Recognised for his resonant and powerful bass, his appearances at Covent Garden this season have included Ceprano (Rigoletto) under Sir Antonio Pappano, High Priest (Nabucco) under Daniel Oren, Medico (Macbeth) conducted by Daniele Rustioni, Dottore Grenvil (La traviata) under Antonello Manacorda and Second Elder in Isabelle Kettle’s new production of Handel’s Susanna at the Linbury Theatre.
Named as a Rising Star in the October 2020 edition of BBC Music Magazine, engagements elsewhere have included Samuel (Un ballo in maschera) for Opera Holland Park and Alidoro (La Cenerentola) for the New Generation Festival, Florence and West Green House Opera. His growing operatic repertoire incorporates such roles as Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Don Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Publio (La clemenza di Tito), Sparafucile and Monterone (Rigoletto), Banco (Macbeth), Prince Gremin (Eugene Onegin), Somnus (Semele) and Il Re (Ariodante).
Concert repertoire includes Verdi Messa da Requiem, Puccini Messa di Gloria and Rossini La Petite Messe Solennelle. In competition Blaise was a finalist in both the Toulouse International Singing Competition (2019) and BBC Cardiff Singer of the World (2015) and took First Prize in the Impreza International Vocal Competition in Ukraine (2015).
