Originally from South Africa, Zwakele Tshabalala recently performed as Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess at Theater an der Wien, Trin in La Fanciulla del West at the Opéra de Lyon, and Young Sailor and Shepherd in Tristan und Isolde at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège.

He created the title role in How Anansi Freed the Stories of the World (Muyanga) at Dutch National Opera. 

As a former ENO Harewood Artist, his roles included The Son in Blue (Tesori), Hot Biscuit Slim in Paul Bunyan (Britten), Nick in The Handmaid’s Tale (Ruders), and performances in It’s a Wonderful Life (Heggie). 

Recent highlights include: Alfredo in La Traviata at the Endellion Festival, Gaston in La Traviata at Opera Holland Park, Beppe in Pagliacci at Opera Holland Park, and Borsa in Rigoletto with Welsh National Opera. 

In concert, Zwakele has appeared in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the BBC Proms, The Gospel Messiah (Handel) under Marin Alsop, and A Child of Our Time (Tippett) under the baton of Martyn Brabbins.