An opera powerhouse from Secunda, Mpumalanga is wowing British audiences.
Nkululeko Innocent Masuku, 33, was announced as the first act to advance to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) season 17 after performing Hans Zimmer’s Now We Are Free from Gladiator in his semi-final performance.
He’s not just another contestant, though. The tenor was hailed by celebrity judge Amanda Holden as “by far the best opera singer we have ever had” in the 17 years of Britain’s Got Talent. That’s wild!
Masuku first wowed judges in the BGT auditions last month with the spine-tingling 1986 Lucio Dalla song Caruso.
Even usually unimpressed judge Simon Cowell was taken with him after his performance this week. He said: “You were very, very, very good when you auditioned, and tonight you were, I thought, incredible.”
Masuku is one of SA’s rising opera stars. He studied music at the Tshwane University of Technology, spent time with the Cape Town Opera Company, and moved to the UK in 2019 after landing a scholarship with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
He has played Tamino in the Magic Flute, the character Borsa in Giuseppe Verdi’s classic opera Rigoletto, and Crabman in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess in Argentina.
The next step in his hopeful path to victory is the finals on Sunday, June 2, where 11 acts will compete for £250,000 (that’s nearly R6m!).
Masuku has previously said he hopes “my South African family around the world will be able to support me and vote”.
You’ve got your assignment, Mzansi. You can catch his previous performances on YouTube and take part in the voting action on itv.com/vote when it opens again. 🎊
