Highly in demand on the most prestigious stages throughout Canada, the USA and Europe, Irish-Canadian tenor Michael Colvin has garnered critical acclaim for his appearances as Duke of Cornwall Lear, Monastatos Die Zauberflöte, Bardolfo and Caius Falstaff, The Witch Hansel and Gretel and Bob Boles Peter Grimes.
"I thought Michael Colvin was without doubt the best Bob Boles I have heard and seen."
Seen and Heard International
"It all sounds terrific… Michael Colvin’s Herod is more lyrical than many and thus nastier than most."
Guardian
"the Irish-Canadian tenor Michael Colvin, a Monostatos of astonishing depth, moreover an excellent Spoletta in the Tosca revival.”
Opera Magazine
“Michael Colvin is a heated, frenetic and servile Monostatos, explosive in his desire for Pamina: grand in expressiveness, notably in playing a “rough around the edges” tenor, and also firm and muscular.”
Olyrix
“Michael Colvin is a magnificently repellent Monastatos.”
Opera Going Toronto
Highly in demand on the most prestigious stages throughout Canada, the USA and Europe, Irish-Canadian tenor Michael Colvin has garnered critical acclaim for his appearances as Duke of Cornwall in new productions of Reimann’s Lear at Opéra National de Paris, Teatro Maggio Musicale di Fiorentino and Salzburg Festival; Rodolphe in a new production of Guillaume Tell and Bardolfo Falstaff at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; The Witch Hansel and Gretel at the Canadian Opera Company; Herod Salome at English National Opera and Northern Ireland Opera; Bob Boles and the title role of Peter Grimes, and Painter/Second Client in William Kentridge’s acclaimed production of Lulu - both at English National Opera; and Monostatos Die Zauberflöte with Canadian Opera Company and Royal Opera House.
In the 2023/24 season, Colvin makes an anticipated company debut with the Teatro alla Scala in one of his signature roles: Bob Boles in Robert Carsen’s new production of Peter Grimes conducted by Simone Young; a company debut with Hamburg Staatsoper as Arturo Lucia di Lammermoor; and a return to Teatro Real as Duke of Cornwall in Lear. Recent highlights include a double appearance at the Opéra National de Paris as Monostatos in Robert Carsen’s Die Zauberflöte and Spoleta Tosca under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel and at the Salzburg Festival as Bardolfo Falstaff.
Closely associated with English National Opera, his appearances with the company include Herod in a new production of Salome; Arturo in David Alden’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor; Painter/Second Client Lulu; Flute A Midsummer Night’s Dream; the title role of Peter Grimes and Goro Madama Butterfly. At home in Canada he was seen as Dr Caius Falstaff; Basilio Le Nozze di Figaro and the Witch Hansel and Gretel and Monostatos all with Canadian Opera Company. Other engagements include Don Basilio Le Nozze di Figaro at the Opéra National de Paris; Reimann’s Lear in Paris and Teatro Maggio Musicale di Fiorentino; Laios in Enescu’s Oedipe and Cornwall Lear at the Salzburg Festival; Rodolphe Guillaume Tell, Bardolfo Falstaff and Monostatos at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; L'Aumonier Dialogues des Carmélites for Dutch National Opera; and Jaquino Fidelio with Le Cercle de l’Harmonie in Lyon and Paris. A fine Britten interpreter, he has performed to great acclaim the role of Bob Boles Peter Grimes at English National Opera; the Enescu Festival; Opera de Oviedo; Vlaamse Opera; with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Jurowski; and Accademia di Santa Cecilia and Sir Antonio Pappano.
Recent concert engagements include Shepherd Oedipus Rex at the Edinburgh International Festival; a recital with Scottish Opera as part of their Sir Walter Scott and Opera series; Beethoven Missa Solemnis for the Richard Eaton Singers of Edmonton; Mahler Das Lied von der Erde for Louisville Orchestra; Handel Messiahwith National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Seattle Symphony, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra; Haydn Creation with New Mexico Symphony; Schubert Mass in A Flat at Festival Vancouver; Beethoven Symphony No.9 with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and l’Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec; Elgar Dream of Gerontius; Haydn Die Schöpfung and Verdi Requiem for the Elora Festival.
Season 2023/24. Not to be published or altered without consent. For the latest biography or photo materials please contact us.