Themba Mvula is an operatic baritone based in the UK. Raised in Ndola, Zambia, he discovered his passion for singing during secondary school in North Wales and later honed his talent at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He has performed roles with companies including Welsh National Opera, Opera North, Birmingham Opera, English Touring Opera, and Opera Holland Park. Internationally, he has appeared at Theater an der Wien, Grand Théâtre Luxembourg, Aix-en-Provence Festival, Bregenz Festival, Holland Festival, and the Ruhrtriennale.
Mvula has a strong interest in new opera and interdisciplinary collaboration. He starred in the one-man opera Bhekizizwe, playing multiple characters and incorporating puppetry and acting. In The F*gg*ts and Their Friends Between Revolutions, he sings, plays multiple instruments, and conducts. As Dom in Link In My Bio, he performs in an interactive and multimedia opera that melds jazz, grime, and classical music. He also appeared on stage in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Luna, where he was integrated into the choreography, performing amidst the dancers. Additionally, he features on the soundtrack for the operatic financial sci-fi film Free to Choose, created by Waste Paper Opera and artist Bahar Noorizadeh.
As the Musical Director of Lichfield Gospel Choir, Mvula curates a repertoire that crosses continental and genre divides. Passionate about involving young people in music, he has led workshops and collaborative projects with schools and organisations designed to engage and inspire future generations.
Highlights for 2026 include performing the role of Anthony in Blaze of Glory! for Welsh National Opera, Marullo in Rigoletto for Opera North, and Kamal in the world premiere of Our eyes looking for god at the Barbican Centre. This year will also see Themba perform in an original work co-written with composer and producer Dirty Freud for Birmingham Opera Company. Visit the diary page to find out more about upcoming performances.
