“…whose expressiveness and delicacy brought a quite sensational quality, and a magic to every passage that she sang…”

— Roderic Dunnett, CHURCH TIMES

“…exceptional vocalist…”

— Tallah Brash, THE SKINNY

Zambian-Scottish Opera singer and Jazz singer based in London, UK.

being raised in the Middle East, her vibrant cultural upbringing and eclectic background is reflected through her artistry and style as a writer and performer

See below for a real introduction and highlights of her work so far.

Gabriella Liandu

is a Zambian-Scottish mezzo-soprano, known for her versatility, performing across a range of genres, from baroque opera to contemporary jazz. Being raised in the Middle East, her vibrant cultural upbringing and eclectic background is reflected through her artistry and style as a writer and performer.

Since 2018, Gabriella has been a member of Ex Cathedra, progressing from Student Scholar during her Vocal and Operatic studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, to Graduate Scholar during her Jazz Masters, where she won the B:Music Jazz Prize and the award of Leverhulme Arts Scholar, and now singing with the choir professionally. Significant work with the choir includes featuring as the main soloist on Liz Dilnot Johnson’s latest album ‘Gentle Flame’, and her Ivor Novello Award-winning project ‘When A Child Is A Witness’.

The artist made her Jazz debut at Cheltenham Jazz Festival in 2021, after selling out Eastside Jazz Club for her self-produced ‘Gabriella Liandu Presents: Juntos A La Par’. She has since formed her own ensembles, performing original works and arrangements around the country and internationally. She was the soloist for ‘Music of the Unseen’, a UK tour of music scored for voice and orchestra by composer Bobbie-Jane Gardner and filmmaker B+ celebrating composer-arrangers Charles Stepney and David Axelrod. She took to the stage in another orchestral-vocal project, this time a concert entirely of her own material in collaboration with University of Birmingham Jazz Orchestra. Demonstrating her true versatility, she then returned to Cheltenham Jazz Festival in 2024 for a sold out solo show, and shortly after performed the role of Dalinda in ‘Titus L'Empereur’ at the Händel-Festspiele Halle with Opera Settecento.

Her wide-ranging ensemble work also includes working with choirs. In 2020 she joined Lichfield Gospel Choir as Associate Musical Director and they have since been shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Society Award.

Additionally, she works with Vache Baroque bringing music into schools, and with English National Opera bringing opera-making workshops to under-served areas.

Gabriella serves on Ex Cathedra’s board as Young Person Representative.

“…You have all the power to unlock different parts of your voice and you can do with it what you choose…”
— G x