La Roche in R. Strauss Capriccio
Royal Opera House Jette Parker Young Artists Programme Showcase
“Vuyani Mlinde made a sonorous, courtly La Roche”
Neil Fisher, The Times, July 2008
Seneca in Monteverdi L'incoronazione di Poppea
Royal College of Music
"Vuyani Mlinde has a gorgeous velvety bass and all the hangdog presence for Seneca"
Robert Thicknesse, Opera Now, February 2007
Commendatore in Mozart Don Giovanni
cond. Alexander Ingram / dir. John Lloyd Davies
Prince Gremin in Tchaikovsky Eugene Onegin
cond. Peter Robinson / dir. Will Kerley
British Youth Opera / South Bank Sinfonia / Peacock Theatre
"But the real vocal star of the evening is the mighty basso profundo of the South African Vuyani Mlinde as an awesome Commendatore. Mlinde's first name apparently means "rejoice"; and he had rather more to be happy about the following evening in Eugene Onegin , where he appeared as a twinkly-eyed Prince Gremin."
Hilary Finch, The Times, September 2006
Palemon in Massenet Thais
Grange Park Opera / cond. Martin André / dir. David Fielding
"Vuyani Mlinde displayed a fine bass voice"
Rodney Milnes, Opera, August 2006
"Vuyani Mlinde's gently spiritual Palemon"
George Hall, The Guardian, June 2006
"Among the smaller roles a stunning young South African bass called Vuyani Mlinde, playing a fellow monk, reveals a potentially exciting talent."
Richard Morrison, The Times, June 2006
"Vuyani Mlinde was a young bass worth noting."
Richard Fairman, The Financial Times, June 2006
"The audience, rightly, liked the monk Palémon (the impressive South African bass Vuyani Mlinde, making his British debut), who wisely denigrates his friend's proselytising zeal."
Roderic Dunnett, The Independent, June 2006
"Among the smaller parts, the South African Vuyani Mlinde revealed a bass of exceptional promise. "
Hugh Canning, The Times, June 2006
Bach St Matthew Passion
Worcester Cathedral / Elgar Chorale / cond. Barry Smith
"Vuyani Mlinde is a bass in a thousand - tough, virile and seemingly bottomless - yet with all the sensitivity to diction and phrasing which Bach demands."
BH. The Organ Magazine, March 2005
Colline in Puccini La Bohème
Black Tie Ensemble / Johannesburg Music Initiative Orchestra / dir. Neels Hansen / cond. Graham Scott
"Vuyani Mlinde was in fine voice and his excellent acting animated the character of Colline."
J Brooks Spector, Sunday Independent, June 2004