Lemalu sings a love duet

Jonathan Lemalu

Bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu is making it a duet.

Lemalu's parents, announcing his engagement to Croatian mezzo-soprano Sandra Martinovic, said they were delighted.

Lemalu's mother, Aliitasi Lemalu, said her son popped the question in New York last month about the time he was making his debut at the New York Metropolitan's production of Don Giovanni.

The singer's father, Foalima Lemalu, said: "We have met Sandra twice and all our friends agree that she is the right person for him."

Singing on an international circuit, as Jonathan did, could be lonely, so it was nice to have someone, Foalima Lemalu said. Matinovic, 28, accompanied Lemalu, 29, to his hometown of Dunedin in February when he sang at the opening of the Lion Foundation Arena at the Edgar Centre.

London-based Lemalu is at present singing in Handel's Saul in Munich.