GILES TOMKINS

BASS-BARITONE

BIO

CANADIAN/BRITISH BASS-BARITONE GILES TOMKINS IS WIDELY PRAISED FOR HIS VOCAL VIRTUOSITY AND LYRICISM IN AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF REPERTOIRE. HIS RICH, RESONANT VOICE BRINGS “AUTHORITY AND POWER” TO THE CONCERT AND OPERATIC STAGE.

 

Noted for his convincing portrayal of the philosopher Colline in La bohème, Giles sang this favourite role in Against the Grain Theatre’s acclaimed 2019 “dive bar” touring production from the Yukon to Toronto. Giles has performed the role with Saskatoon Opera, Manitoba Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria.

 

This season, Giles adds Hamilton Philharmonic to his many Messiah performances, most recently with Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. His concert appearances include Elijah with Vancouver Bach Choir, Mozart's Requiem with Regina Symphony Orchestra, and Dvorak’s Stabat Mater with Vancouver Symphony. Giles looks forward to singing Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in 2023 with Chorus Niagara.

 

Acclaimed operatic roles for Giles include Timur (Turandot), Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Pistola (Falstaff), Superintendent Budd (Albert Herring), Leporello/Commendatore (Don Giovanni), and Sergeant of Police (Pirates of Penzance). His comedic talents as Don Basilio in Barber of Seville have been the highlight of productions throughout Canada. In 2022/23, Giles sings Sciarrone with Edmonton Opera’s Tosca and Fifth Jew in Salome with Canadian Opera Company.

 

Contemporary works include Gandalf in The Hobbit (Burry) with Canadian Children’s Opera Company, and Khodozat in The Overcoat (Rolfe/Panych), a coproduction of Canadian Stage/Tapestry Opera/Vancouver Opera.

 

Giles is featured in several OperaBreaks videos directed by François Racine and produced by Domoney Artists during the pandemic.

 

Canada Council for the Arts