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 the dual roles of Benoit and Alcindoro in La Bohème. 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. Most recently, in Manitoba Opera’s 2023 production of Cosi Fan Tutte, he “delivered a compelling Don Alfonso . . . [with] robust, booming vocals” (Winnipeg Free Press).
Having recently retired from the military, David is once again available to travel and perform nation-wide. Upcoming engagements include the role of Pierre LaGrande in Manitoba Opera’s world premiere of Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North.
Recent Operatic Engagements
Opera
La Boheme
Li Keur
Cosi Fan Tutte
Tosca
Sweeney Todd
Susannah
The Barber of Seville
La Traviata
Madama Butterfly
Werther
Role
Benoit/Alcindoro
Pierre LaGrande
Don Alfonso
Angelotti/Sciaronne
Judge Turpin
Elder McLean
Fiorello
Dr. Grenvil
The Bonze
The Bailiff
Date
upcoming (2025)
2023
2023
2020*
2020*
2019
2019
2018
2017
2017
* Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Other Prior Roles
A Masked Ball (Sam)
Aida (The King, Ramfis)
Ariadne auf Naxos (Truffaldin)
Cosi Fan Tutte (Don Alfonso)
Die Fledermaus (Frank)
Fidelio (Fernando)
Il Trovatore (Ferrando)
Julius Caesar (Curio)
La Cenerentola (Alidoro)
La Traviata (Germont, Dr. Grenvil)
Madama Butterfly (The Bonze/Yamadori)
The Marriage of Figaro (Bartolo)
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 (Angeloti/Sciaronne, Sacristan/Gaoler)
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