Desmond Havlin

Desmond Havlin is a tenor from Bangor, County Down and is based in Belfast. He studies singing with operatic bass Graeme Danby and has been a member of the Northern Ireland Opera Chorus Development programme since May 2023. He made his opera debut in NI Opera’s production of ‘Tosca’ (Grand Opera House, 2023) as a chorus member and has gone on to perform with the ensemble at multiple events and appeared as a soloist during the 2024 Summer Recital series. Earlier this year Desmond sang in his first operatic character role, playing The Miller in Phillip Glass & Robert Moran’s adaptation of ‘The Juniper Tree’ (Grand Opera House Studio, 2024) and is returning as a chorus member for the NI Opera production of ‘Eugene Onégin’ in September 2024.

In March 2025, Desmond will be back in the Grand Opera House playing the role of Monsieur Thenardier in the UK amateur premiere of ‘Les Misérables’, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the long-running musical in a special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh.

Desmond has also sung at a number of high profile choral events; Pope Francis’ Mass at Phoenix Park, Dublin (under the baton of Dr John O’Keefe, 2018) The Queen’s memorial service in Belfast (St Anne’s Cathedral, 2022), Andrea Bocelli’s Belfast performance (SSE Arena, 2022) and a televised appearance in the ITV Christmas Carol service hosted by Kate Middleton (2022).

He is also a keen dramatic performer having played the role of Joseph K in ‘The Trial’ (Brian Friel Theatre, 2019) for Bruiser Theatre Company. His amateur musical theatre credits include Jean Valjean in ‘Les Misérables: School Edition’ (Waterfront Studio, 2018), Curly McLain in ‘Oklahoma!’ (Theatre at the Mill, 2023), and Ubaldo Piangi in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ (Theatre at the Mill, 2024).