Michael Colvin

Michael Colvin is a tenor with the Canadian Opera Company. His portrayal of The Barber of Seville's Count Almaviva drew praise from critics, leading him to reprise the part on the stage of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, where he made his debut in the U.S. He has sung roles in Iolanta, Norma, and Giasone. Previously Colvin worked with the Ensemble Studio. The tenor also performs in concert. He has performed a number of guest solos, including engagements with the Amadeus Choir of Toronto, the Winnipeg Symphony, and the Toronto Symphony. Among his recitals is an appearance on CBC Radio Two. Colvin was also featured in several contemporary music premieres, among them The Golden Ass, written by Randolph Peters and staged in 1999, and Everlasting Light, written by Christos Hatzis and staged in 2000. Colvin was born in Ireland but relocated to Canada as a child. He was enrolled in Toronto's St. Michael's Choir School. In Toronto, he earned a degree in immunology, but he went on to pursue music rather than science by studying at the opera division of the University of Toronto. Additional instruction came from the Czech Republic's International Opera Workshop, Canada's Banff Centre for the Arts, and England's Britten-Pears School. At the Young Canadian Mozart Singers Competition in 1997, Colvin placed among the finalists. A number of awards followed, among them the Chalmers Performing Arts Award that same year, and the Canadian Opera Foundation Award two years later. His recordings include The Tempest, issued by Naxos. He is married to soprano Mary Bella, with whom he sometimes performs in recital.