Biography

David Watson

Bass-baritone David Watson, a veteran of operatic and concert stages across Canada, continues to earn praise for the exceptional richness and power of his voice.

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 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 Manitoba Opera engagements include the roles of Benoit/Alcindoro in La Boheme.

Recent Operatic Engagements

Opera 

La Boheme

Li Keur

Cosi Fan Tutte

Tosca

Sweeney Todd

Susannah

Role

Benoit/Alcindoro

Pierre LaGrande

Don Alfonso

Angelotti/Sciarrone

Judge Turpin

Elder McLean

Date

upcoming (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)

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 (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

CV