Bass-Baritone
Bio
"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 in the minor role of Brander was impressive"
Damnation of Faust, Vancouver Bach Choir
Lloyd Dykk, The Georgia Straight
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. Mr. Tomkins’ performances in the United Kingdom include King Arthur (Purcell) at the Aldeburgh Festival, Colline in a touring production of Puccini’s La Bohème with Scottish Opera, and 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), and Don Basilio in Il Barbiere de Siviglia (Scottish Opera) directed by Sir Thomas Allen. Giles starred as Pedro in James Rolfe’s new opera Ines with Queen of Puddings Music Theatre and joined the cast of La Bohème as Colline with Saskatoon Opera.
In 2009 Giles appeared as Christus in Toronto Bach Consort’s performance of St. John Passion with Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor. 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 began his busy 2010/11 season at the Cervantino Festival in Mexico, in a Soundstreams Canada concert
with renowned Mexican percussion ensemble Tambuco, followed by Messiah with Elmer Iseler Singers and Hamilton’s Bach Elgar Choir. Returning to Pacific Opera Victoria, as Colline in La Bohème, Mr. Tomkins also sang the role of Dr. Grenvil in Vancouver Opera’s production of La Traviata (Jonathan Miller, director) and debuted with Vancouver Bach Choir in Berlioz’s Damnation of Faust.
Giles looks forward to debuts with Opera Hamilton (Don Basilio, Il Barbiere di Siviliglia), Symphony Nova Scotia (The Dublin Messiah) and Windsor Symphony Orchestra (Bach’s Christmas Oratorio). Mr. Tomkins sings the title role in Verdi’s Oberto with Opera in Concert, and in April 2012 is Colline in a concert performance of La Bohème with Kingston Symphony Orchestra.