Theo Magongoma

Freelancer: Wigmore Hall London, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie Brussels, Bayreuth Festival, Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Winner of the prestigious 2023 Elizabeth Greenfield Award, honouring him as one of the most outstanding opera singers in the world today in the early stages of his professional career, South African dramatic baritone Theo Magongoma is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most exciting artists of his generation. Hailed by Wigmore Hall in London as “South Africa’s Star”, he is a sought-after operatic and concert performer maintaining an extensive repertoire in opera, oratorio, and art song/lieder.

Recent engagements include Renato in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera in Italy and Amonasro in Verdi’s Aida in Germany. Upcoming appearances will see him in the title roles of Verdi’s Nabucco and Macbeth in Germany, as Tonio in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci at Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, and in Wagner’s version of Gluck’s Iphigenia in Aulis with Michael Hofstetter for the opening of the new concert hall in Bayreuth in 2026 and at the Bayreuth Festival’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Mr. Magongoma made his Wigmore Hall debut in 2023 and continues to perform in recital and oratorio throughout Europe, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. On the recording front, he has been chosen by SOMM Recordings to collaborate with conductor Ben Gernon and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra on the premiere recording of David Earl’s Sangharakshita Songs, scheduled for international release in 2027.

He is the winner of the 2024 Stignani Competition in Imola, where he was also awarded the Audience Prize, as well as the 2022 Spazio Musica International Opera Competition in Orvieto, where he received both First Prize and the Audience Prize. Further recognition includes the Best Men’s Voice Prize at the 2022/2023 Vienna New Year’s International Music Competition.

Mr. Magongoma studied at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town. He is a former member of the Cape Town Opera Studio for Emerging Young Artists and the Dallas Opera’s Young Artists Studio, and continues his vocal work under the guidance of Ean Smit.