Jonathan Lemalu is putting himself on the line in the hope it will inspire young Dunedin performers.
The Dunedin-born, University of Otago-trained, Grammy award-winning bass is one of New Zealand's most internationally successful opera singers.
For nearly 20 years, he has trod the boards of some of the world's most prestigious stages.
Now he believes it is the time to give back some of that experience to up-and-coming performers.
To do this he is taking a big step - organising and promoting his own concert ''Songs In the Key of Life'' (yes he is aware it is the title of a Stevie Wonder album) at the Dunedin Town Hall, which he considers the premier hall in the country.
''It seemed the right time to do it.''
It will just be himself and pianist Terrence Dennis on stage performing a collection of English and American songs.
''It's outside my own comfort zone. It won't be opera all night long.''
He has listened to comments made over the years about what people would like to hear him sing, so the programme includes songs by Gershwin, Copland, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Finzi and Richard Rodney Bennett.
''It's an informal way of introducing myself to the community. That it's not just large people singing in a foreign language. I want to appeal to more people.''
There is a lot on the line - his reputation as a local boy made good - and he has to fill one of the city's biggest venues in a region known for late bookings.
''It won't look good if only three people are there.''
While he often returns to the city to perform with the likes of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, this concert rests solely on Lemalu's shoulders.
''It's go big or go home.''
But it is not all about him. He has a bigger plan: to showcase the talent of Dunedin on the big stage in a themed, semi-staged festival of some kind.
Lemalu hopes this year's concert will be the launching pad for an annual or biennial concert.
''The seeds have been sown.''
It is something he has been thinking about for a few years.
He has seen colleagues undertake similar endeavours in their home towns, and he and wife Sandra have been directing opera scenes at The Royal College of Music, which he enjoys.
''I'm still very young at heart and can connect with the young kids. I've had 20 years of being given this information ... great singers I have been exposed to have given me these things so I don't see why I can't pass that on.''
He still remembers being blown away when he received a phone call from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on his first Christmas in London all those years ago.
''I was pretty sure it wasn't Kiri, but one of my idiot friends.''
Turns out it was her and she invited him visit her at her London home where she gave him a Christmas cake she had baked.
''I've got a photo with her somewhere around here.''
Now, 20 years later, he sees himself helping Kiwi singers with references and advice where he can.
''It's that full circle thing, and starting in Dunedin seems like the right place.''
He still has moments before performing on some of Europe's grand stages when he reflects on where he first learnt a song.
''I want to show audiences I'm doing it on the world stage, but I did start here.
''There is no reason others can't do the same.''
He hopes to be able to hold classes or workshops depending on his own schedule and encourage up-and-coming performers.
''We don't necessarily have to bring in big names; we have plenty of talent here.''
Lemalu envisaged possibly auditioning a group of children to perform in the concert and getting them to learn the material and rehearse.
''If we say you are going to be singing in the town hall in front of your community in the future - if that doesn't inspire you to go to singing lessons and practise I don't know what will.
''It's a question of putting that carrot out there for local people and if they are hungry enough for it as I was ...'''
He remembers singing and performing many genres as he grew up before discovering opera was for him.
''I found the experience of being in the big hall with big audiences, many of whom were just supporters and energetic about this young boy singing what is not stereotypically normal but he loves doing it.''
His farewell concert packed out the town hall and gave him confidence to go forward.
''Just because you are from Dunedin should not be an excuse to not make the dream a reality.''
So he wanted that experience for other young performers. He was in contact with schools, the university and music societies to get their input to the plan.
Lemalu envisaged arriving in Dunedin earlier this time to spend time working with performers who were already prepared and ready to sing ''off book''.
Organising the concert had enabled him to touch base with a lot of the contacts he had in the city.
''I'm reconnecting which is refreshing for me. People are coming from all over the country, so it'll be a homecoming of sorts.''
The reflection on his past and home coincidentally came as he entered his 40s.
''I feel such a strong connection. Maybe I'm getting older, I have my own family and I reminisce to my son and my newborn daughter.''
His parents still live in Dunedin, so family and the city draw Lemalu back once a year for performances and family time.
''Dunedin has changed and evolved but so much is still similar. I know the streets where I delivered newspapers, those that I ran round to get fit for rugby or went collecting with the youth group.''
His own career is going from strength to strength as his voice matures - a myth he did not really believe when younger.
''There was the myth possibly 20 years ago that a bass singer only hits their straps in their 40s and I thought 'Wow, I'm already pretty well strapped thank you'.''
But now he realised there was some truth to the myth.
''I feel more excited about the work; more now than ever.''
Lemalu also believes the opera world takes itself too seriously.
''That's part of the reason why I'm doing these songs [in Dunedin] as I don't want to take myself too seriously. I want to tell some stories.''
His experience means he is able to boil down the languages and techniques vocally to tell a clear and precise story.
''You need to be open and ready to accept that information.''
While he did not have the time to pull off a full production this time round he is still squeezing in vocal masterclasses for the University of Otago music department, visiting and mentoring at Otago Boys' High School and performing Basilica concerts with Cantores Choir (of which he is patron) in Invercargill and Dunedin, singing in support of the Dunedin Arts Festival.
To see
Jonathan Lemalu — Songs In the Key of Life, Dunedin Town Hall, Wednesday, April 12, 7pm-9pm
