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). Other engagements include Pish-Tush in The Mikado (Toronto Operetta Theatre) and Somnus in Handel’s Semele (Opera in Concert). 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, as well as Christus in Bach Consort’s 2009 performance of St. John Passion with Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor. Other concert appearances include Beethoven’s Mass in C with Guelph Chamber Choir and Messiah with Classical Music Consort.
In September, Giles Tomkins was a member of Pacific Opera Victoria’s Resident Artist Program, and sang Dr. Grenvil in their production of La Traviata. Other performances this season include Toronto Masque Theatre’s premiere of Dean Burry’s “A Mummer’s Masque” in December, Messiah with Peterborough Singers, Mozart’s Mass in C with Fanshawe Chorus London, and “A Gilbert and Sullivan Extravaganza” with Chorus Niagara in May 2010.
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