2017 Adjudicators

Giles Tomkins

Voice

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.

Mr. Tomkins’ operatic roles include Don Basilio (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Pistola
(Falstaff), Superintendent Budd (Albert Herring), Leporello/Commendatore (Don Giovanni), and Sergeant of Police
(Pirates of Penzance). He has been engaged by Vancouver Opera, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Pacific Opera Victoria, Edmonton Opera and Tapestry New Opera.

Noted for his convincing portrayal of the philosopher Colline in La Bohème, Giles has performed the role with Scottish Opera, as well as with Saskatoon Opera, Manitoba Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria.

This season, Mr. Tomkins debuts in the role of Timur in Turandot with Edmonton Opera and is Sciarrone in the Canadian Opera Company’s Tosca.

Recent oratorio performances include Elijah with Vancouver Bach Choir, Messiah with Elmer Iseler Singers, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Symphony New Brunswick, Dvorak’s Requiem with Chorus Niagara, St. John Passion with Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Symphony Nova Scotia. Concert performances in 2016/17 include Messiah with Regina Symphony and Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra.

On the contemporary music scene, Mr. Tomkins starred as Gandalf in Dean Burry’s The Hobbit with Canadian Childrens’ Opera Company and joined the cast of The Bells of Baddeck, Lorna MacDonald and Dean Burry’s music drama based on the life of Alexander Graham Bell.