Zwakele Tshabalala
Ian Stones
Clare Erskine
“It is South African tenor Zwakele Tshabalala who demonstrated a properly huge voice, as Hot Biscuit Slim”
Seen and Heard
With a “bristling and heartfelt intensity” (The Guardian), up-and-coming South African tenor Zwakele Tshabalala captivates audiences with his touching performances on the opera stage. In his rapidly developing career, Tshabalala has established himself as a rising star, leaving a lasting impression wherever he performs.
His remarkable talent has shone internationally in the past few seasons as Sportin’ Life in Matthew Wild’s acclaimed new production of Porgy and Bess for Theater an der Wien, the title role in Dutch National Opera’s world premiere performances of Anansi, and most recently as Trin in Tatjana Gürbaca’s new production of La fanciulla del West for Opéra national de Lyon under Daniele Rustioni. As a Harewood Artist for English National Opera, Tshabalala’s critically acclaimed highlights on stage include The Son in Jeanine Tesori’s Blue, Hot Biscuit Slim in Paul Bunyan at Alexandra Palace, Nick in The Handmaid’s Tale, and the British premiere of Jake Heggie’s It’s a Wonderful Life. Tshabalala’s versatility and undeniable charisma have seen him excel in traditional as well as contemporary roles including his captivating portrayal of Rodolfo (La bohème) in Abracadopera! for Sky Arts, and his recent debuts at the Endellion Festival as Alfredo (La traviata) and Opera Holland Park as Beppe (Pagliacci). Upcoming he returns to Welsh National Opera as Borsa in Adele Thomas’ new production of Rigoletto under Pietro Rizzo, as well as making his role and company debut as Steersman and Shepherd in Tristan und Isolde for Opéra Royal De Wallonie-Liège under Giampaolo Bisanti.
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On the concert stage performing Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, he joined Marin Alsop as part of her celebration of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary at the World Economic Forum, made his anticipated BBC Proms debut with Chineke! Orchestra under the baton of Kevin John Edusei, and recently joined Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Barbican. Upcoming Zwakele makes his Wiener Konzerthaus debut in Handel’s Gospel Messiah under Marin Alsop. This piece has brought him great success in recent seasons with BBC Concert Orchestra and Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
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“but the show is stolen by Zwakele Tshabalala in the minor role of Beppe, Canio’s sidekick, whose aria ‘O Colombina il tenero fido’ is the vocal high point of the evening.”
“There’s an exciting young South African tenor to watch, too: the bright and charismatic Zwakele Tshabalala (an ENO Harewood Artist) as Beppe.”
“There is so much to relish in this double bill, such as the characterful performance as Beppe in Pagliacci by tenor Zwakele Tshabalala, already familiar to London audiences as the son in Blue and in Marin Alsop’s Gospel Messiah, which returns this winter.”
“Zwakele Tshabalala made an engagingly lively Beppe, yet created a thing of beauty in Arlecchino’s serenade.”
“Tenor Zwakele Tshabalala has recently gained plaudits for his performance in ENO’s production of The Handmaid’s Tale, and it’s not difficult to tell, from the bright and clear tone that he deployed for his sadly brief passages, that he will go far.”
“underpinned by wonderful solo work, not least from the tenor Zwakele Tshabalala. This, on every level, was an evening to thrill the soul.”
“Tenor Zwakele Tshabalala, as Trin one of the miners, gives an effective solo with a projected and expressive voice.”
“In particular, we can mention the two tenors Léo Vermot-Desroches and Valentin Thill, the former as Harry and the latter as Joe (much noticed and much applauded)”
“A vibrant South African tenor, Zwakele Tshabalala, transformed Every valley into a call-and-response number culminating in a frenetic burst of scat singing that evoked Cab Calloway.”
“But the outstanding voice for me is the South African tenor Zwakele Tshabalala, an ENO Harewood Artist, as the Son. A memorable performance on every level. Impassioned, dramatic, his voice soars.”
“Zwakele Tshabalala’s live-wire incarnation of the Son galvanises the action whenever he’s on stage.”
“Zwakele Tshabalala is touching as the headstrong yet vulnerable son, his arguments frequently carrying the work’s intellectual and ideological weight.”
“We don’t hear enough of Zwakele Tshabalala as The Son.”
“The deceptively effortless reach of Cabell’s voice made its mark here, with assured support from mezzo Raehann Bryce Davis and tenor Zwakele Tshabalala.”
“Tshabalala turns the fabled spider Anansi into a cheerful hustler.”
“Tenor Zwakele Tshabalala really impressed as Lafitte’s lieutenant, Dominique You, who tells Pierre that General Jackson will ensure his escape in return for his participation in breaking the British siege of New Orleans. Tshabalala’s shifts between chest-power and head-voice fragility were masterly, and dramatically potent.”
“The particularly playful Zwakele Tshabalala as Dealer Sportin ‘Life.”
“The young Zwakele Tshabalala delighted as a mercurial Sportin’ Life who avoided any risk of sinking into caricature.”
“Vocally as bright and agile as a trumpet.”
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t be stirred… when the ringing tenor of Zwakele Tshabalala enters as the loggers’ new cook.”
“Two soloists stand out from the pack… Zwakele Tshabalala bursting with energy as the dashing cook Hot Biscuit Slim.”
“but it is South African tenor Zwakele Tschabalala who demonstrated a properly huge voice, as Hot Biscuit Slim. The pairing of Tshabalala and Rowan Pierce (as Tiny, Paul Bunyan’s daughter), was inspired casting.”
“South African tenor and current ENO Harewood Artist Zwakele Tshabalala is the breakout star of this production bringing a restless hip-hop energy to the role of The Son […] His voice has terrific power and clarity and it will be exciting to see him move into some of the great dramatic leading roles.”