Lemalu will perform at the Glenroy Auditorium this evening in a special concert — Honouring Honor — in memory of Honor McKellar, who died last year, aged 103.
It is London-based Lemalu’s first visit to Dunedin since late last year.
"It felt very strange (and a little empty, to be honest) not to be able to go and see Honor and chat, a tradition I have had each time I have come home (on average every 18 months since I left in 1999).
"I wanted to celebrate Honor’s considerable influence and impact on me as a performer and person, hence this concert."
Lemalu said the concert would focus on his personal connection with her over 30 years, from when she became his first music teacher in 1994.
It was also the opportunity for him to launch a special scholarship targeted at University of Otago music performance students.
University of Otago co-ordinator of classical music performance Prof Terence Dennis said this scholarship, which would be funded from Miss McKellar’s estate, would include a mentoring component from Lemalu, who would provide "face to face" teaching and advice for the recipient whenever he was back in New Zealand.
Prof Dennis said people should expect a wide variety of styles and stories at tonight’s concert.
"It will be an array of pieces that have been significant to Jonathan at some point in his career to date."
In an email, Lemalu said it would be a very personal evening.
"Honor’s family, who I have kept in contact with, kindly sourced letters and speeches kept in the Hocken Library which Honor wrote, outlining her first impressions of me (mixed!) and an almost chronological history of my career through her eyes since her lessons, through competition success, overseas study, important debuts (Royal Opera, Sydney Opera House etc) she was able to attend.
"These letters and speeches she wrote will form the basis of the evening — a sense she is narrating our journey together on that evening."
Lemalu said he was proud to continue Miss McKellar’s legacy.
"As a professor of voice at both London’s Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, I realise much of her teaching and lesson specifics remain a large part of my own ethos, so her legacy very much continues in and through me."
The concert begins at 7pm.
