Giles Tomkins, bass-baritone

Giles Tomkins, bass-baritone
Official Website: www.gilestomkins.com As Colline in La Boheme with Highlands Opera Studio – “Giles Tomkins' Colline received prolonged applause after his beautifully sung ‘Vecchia Zimara’.”Dawn Martens, Opera Canada As Pedro in James Rolfe's "Ines" with Queen of Puddings – "The strongest performer is bass-baritone Giles Tomkins, who has a solid, rich voice and clear diction.” Michael Johnson, The Classical Music Network Bass-baritone Giles Tomkins is in demand as one of Canada’s leading young singers, widely recognized for his vocal virtuosity and lyricism in an impressive range of repertoire. His voice has been described as “sweet but manly” complete with “lovely phrasing and beautiful placement” by Paula Citron, Opera Canada. This 2005 Distinguished Graduate from the University of Toronto’s Opera Division is a frequent guest artist with the Aldeburgh Connection, and has appeared with Tapestry New Opera Works, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Canadian Brass, Opera in Concert and the Canadian Opera Company. Mr. Tomkins’ performances in the United Kingdom include King Arthur (Purcell) at the Aldeburgh Festival, Colline in a touring production of Puccini’s La Boheme with Scottish Opera, and in 2006, the European premiere of Queen of Puddings Music Theatre’s production of The Midnight Court at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Recent operatic roles for Giles include Don Alfonso in Cosi fan Tutte at Tanglewood, (conducted by James Levine), Don Basilio in Il Barbiere de Siviglia (Scottish Opera) directed by Sir Thomas Allen and Superintendent Budd in Britten’s Albert Herring (Aldeburgh Festival). In 2008, Giles returned to Scottish Opera as Pistola in Verdi’s Falstaff and made his debut in the title role in Ottawa’s Opera Lyra production of Le Nozze di Figaro. Giles starred as Pedro in James Rolfe’s new opera Ines with Queen of Puddings Music Theatre and joined the cast of La Boheme as Colline with Saskatoon Opera. Giles has appeared on five international Naxos recordings with the Aradia Ensemble, (Kevin Mallon, conductor) singing major roles in Rameau’s Castor et Pollux, Handel’s Rinaldo, and Vivaldi’s Griselda, and in 2009 sang Christus in Toronto Bach Consort’s performance of St. John Passion with Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor. Further concert appearances include Beethoven’s Mass in C with Guelph Chamber Choir, Mozart’s Mass in C with Fanshawe Chorus London, and Messiah with Classical Music Consort and Peterborough Singers. Mr. Tomkins joined the cast for Dean Burry’s rollicking “A Mummer’s Masque” with Toronto Masque Theatre, and sang the role of Dr. Grenvil in Pacific Opera Victoria’s production of La Traviata. Giles begins the 2010/11 season at the Cervantino Festival in Mexico, in a Soundstreams Canada concert featuring renowned Mexican percussion ensemble Tambuco, in premieres by Alvarez and Sokolovic, followed by Messiah with Elmer Iseler Singers and Hamilton’s Bach Elgar Choir. Mr. Tomkins returns to Pacific Opera Victoria, as Colline in La Boheme, and debuts with Vancouver Bach Choir in Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust. Singing Dr. Grenvil with Vancouver Opera’s La Traviata completes Giles Tomkins’ busy season.

As Colline in La Boheme with Highlands Opera Studio – “Giles Tomkins' Colline received prolonged applause after his beautifully sung ‘Vecchia Zimara’.”Dawn Martens, Opera Canada

As Pedro in James Rolfe's "Ines" with Queen of Puddings – "The strongest performer is bass-baritone Giles Tomkins, who has a solid, rich voice and clear diction.” Michael Johnson, The Classical Music Network

Bass-baritone Giles Tomkins is in demand as one of Canada’s leading young singers, widely recognized for his vocal virtuosity and lyricism in an impressive range of repertoire. His voice has been described as “sweet but manly” complete with “lovely phrasing and beautiful placement” by Paula Citron, Opera Canada. This 2005 Distinguished Graduate from the University of Toronto’s Opera Division is a frequent guest artist with the Aldeburgh Connection, and has appeared with Tapestry New Opera Works, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Canadian Brass, Opera in Concert and the Canadian Opera Company. Mr. Tomkins’ performances in the United Kingdom include King Arthur (Purcell) at the Aldeburgh Festival, Colline in a touring production of Puccini’s La Boheme with Scottish Opera, and in 2006, the European premiere of Queen of Puddings Music Theatre’s production of The Midnight Court at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Recent operatic roles for Giles include Don Alfonso in Cosi fan Tutte at Tanglewood, (conducted by James Levine), Don Basilio in Il Barbiere de Siviglia (Scottish Opera) directed by Sir Thomas Allen and Superintendent Budd in Britten’s Albert Herring (Aldeburgh Festival). In 2008, Giles returned to Scottish Opera as Pistola in Verdi’s Falstaff and made his debut in the title role in Ottawa’s Opera Lyra production of Le Nozze di Figaro. Giles starred as Pedro in James Rolfe’s new opera Ines with Queen of Puddings Music Theatre and joined the cast of La Boheme as Colline with Saskatoon Opera.

Giles has appeared on five international Naxos recordings with the Aradia Ensemble, (Kevin Mallon, conductor) singing major roles in Rameau’s Castor et Pollux, Handel’s Rinaldo, and Vivaldi’s Griselda, and in 2009 sang Christus in Toronto Bach Consort’s performance of St. John Passion with Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor. Further concert appearances include Beethoven’s Mass in C with Guelph Chamber Choir, Mozart’s Mass in C with Fanshawe Chorus London, and Messiah with Classical Music Consort and Peterborough Singers. Mr. Tomkins joined the cast for Dean Burry’s rollicking “A Mummer’s Masque” with Toronto Masque Theatre, and sang the role of Dr. Grenvil in Pacific Opera Victoria’s production of La Traviata.

Giles begins the 2010/11 season at the Cervantino Festival in Mexico, in a Soundstreams Canada concert featuring renowned Mexican percussion ensemble Tambuco, in premieres by Alvarez and Sokolovic, followed by Messiah with Elmer Iseler Singers and Hamilton’s Bach Elgar Choir. Mr. Tomkins returns to Pacific Opera Victoria, as Colline in La Boheme, and debuts with Vancouver Bach Choir in Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust. Singing Dr. Grenvil with Vancouver Opera’s La Traviata completes Giles Tomkins’ busy season.