Biography
David Watson
During his 18 years of service with the Royal Canadian Air Force, David appeared in 16 Manitoba Opera productions, performing such roles as the King in Aida, the Bailiff in Werther, the Bonze in Madama Butterfly, the Doctor in La Traviata, and Pierre LaGrande in the world premiere of Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North. He has also performed with the Canadian Opera Company, Pacific Opera Victoria, Vancouver Opera, Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Opera Saskatchewan, Rainbow Stage, Opera Hamilton, and Opera Lyra Ottawa. In Manitoba Opera’s recent production of Cosi Fan Tutte, he “delivered a compelling Don Alfonso . . . [with] robust, booming vocals” (Winnipeg Free Press).
Having now retired from the military, David is once again available to travel and perform nation-wide. Upcoming Manitoba Opera engagements include the roles of Angelotti/Sciarrone in Tosca and Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro.
Recent Operatic Engagements
Opera
Le Nozze di Figaro
Tosca
La Boheme
Li Keur
Cosi Fan Tutte
Tosca
Sweeney Todd
Susannah
Role
Antonio
Angelotti/Sciarrone
Benoit/Alcindoro
Pierre LaGrande
Don Alfonso
Angelotti/Sciarrone
Judge Turpin
Elder McLean
Date
upcoming (2026)
upcoming (2025)
2025
2023
2023
2020*
2020*
2019
* Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Other Prior Roles
A Masked Ball (Sam)
Aida (The King, Ramfis)
Ariadne auf Naxos (Truffaldin)
The Barber of Seville (Fiorello)
Cosi Fan Tutte (Don Alfonso)
Die Fledermaus (Frank)
Fidelio (Fernando)
Il Trovatore (Ferrando)
Julius Caesar (Curio)
La Cenerentola (Alidoro)
La Traviata (Germont, Dr. Grenvil)
Le Nozze di Figaro (Bartolo)
Madama Butterfly (The Bonze/Yamadori)
Nabucco (The High Priest)
Of Mice and Men (Slim)
Rigoletto (Monterone)
Roméo et Juliette (Count Capulet, Friar Lawrence)
South Pacific (Emile deBecque)
The Magic Flute (Speaker/2nd Priest)
Tosca (Angelotti/Sciarrone, Sacristan/Gaoler)
Werther (Le Bailli)
Solo Orchestral Engagements
Program
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
Brahms’ German Requiem
Britten’s War Requiem
Christmas Oratorio (Bach)
Dona Nobis Pacem (Vaughan Williams)
Fauré Requiem
Handel’s Messiah
Verdi’s Requiem
Company
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Victoria Symphony
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Le Choeur Saint-Laurent, Montreal
The Richard Eaton Singers, Edmonton
Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir
Les Violons du Roy
Regina Symphony Orchestra