Colin Ramsey is a highly regarded Chinese American bass whose “majestic,
rotund, ravishing bass” (Opera Today) has earned him accolades from critics and
audiences alike. Known for his rich, smoky timbre and dramatic versatility, Mr.
Ramsey has become a sought-after performer in both opera and concert
settings, with a broad repertoire that spans from the classical to the
contemporary.
The 2025-26 season is full of role and company debuts as well as returns to
celebrated parts. The fall begins with his company debut at the Lyric Opera of
Kansas City returning to the role of Alidoro in Rossini’s Cenerentola alongside a
cast of young stars including Jack Swanson, Siphokazi Molteno, and Ian Rucker.
The new production is by Michael Shell and conducted by Maestro Gary Wedow.
He then debuts at Opera Las Vegas in his celebrated portrayal of Figaro in Le
nozze di Figaro. Colin spends the rest of 2025 at the Metropolitan Opera
covering Dumas in Giordano’s Andrea Chenier in a cast including Sonya
Yoncheva and Piotr Beczała.
His first operatic engagement of 2026 is a return home to Opera Santa Barbara
to sing the title role in Handel’s Giulio Cesare. Ramsey steps into the titular role
usually performed by countertenors and altos, following in the footsteps of
singers including Norman Treigle, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and Cesare Siepi.
The production will also renew collaboration with conductor, Emily Senturia.
Ramsey then essays his first Timur in Puccini’s Turandot with Pacific Opera
Project and Josh Shaw and then returns to Opera Santa Barbara for TJ Rigg in
Elmer Gantry by Robert Aldridge. He ends the season with his Canadian debut
as Timur in a concert presentation of Turandot with the Orchestre
Philharmonique des Mélomanes under the baton of Francis Choinière.
His most recent credits include the title role in Le nozze di Figaro at Opera
Santa Barbara, Escamillo in Carmen at Amarillo Opera, and the title role in
Porpora’s Polifemo in its U.S. premiere at Opera NEO. On the concert stage, he
has appeared as bass soloist in Messiah with both the Pacific Chamber
Orchestra and Santa Barbara Choral Society, and has given several recitals of
art song in Santa Barbara.
Mr. Ramsey’s operatic career has been marked by an array of roles across
multiple genres, with an emphasis on both dramatic and lyrical bass parts.
Among his most celebrated roles are Colline in La bohème, Escamillo in
Carmen, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Guglielmo in Così fan Tutte, Leporello
in Don Giovanni, Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Hunding in Die
Walküre. Mr. Ramsey’s unique “smoky” timbre has been well lent to additional
roles such as, Don Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Bonze in Madama
Butterfly, Edward Teller in John Adams’s Dr. Atomic, Father Palmer in Silent
Night, The Speaker and Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Collatinus in Britten’s The
Rape of Lucretia, Fafner in Das Rheingold Seneca in Monteverdi’s
L’incoronazione di Poppea, Il Frate in Verdi’s Don Carlo, Angelotti in Tosca, and
Cadmus and Somnus in Handel’s Semele.
Beyond the opera stage, Colin Ramsey has made a name for himself as a
concert performer. He has appeared as a bass soloist with prestigious
ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Amarillo
Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and La Jolla Symphony. His concert
repertoire includes some of the most revered works in the choral-orchestral
canon, such as Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Dvořák’s Stabat
Mater, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, Handel’s
Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, and the Brahms Requiem. His ability to convey the
emotional depth of these works has earned him praise from critics and audiences
alike.
Mr. Ramsey’s voice and technique have garnered recognition in the competition
circuit as well. He is the 1st Prizewinner of the Carolyn Bailey Argento
Competition, winner of the Pasadena Opera Guild Competition, a 3rd Prize
winner in the Rocky Mountain Region of the Metropolitan Opera National
Council Auditions, and an Encouragement Award recipient from the George
London Foundation Competition. These accolades reflect his continued
growth as a performer and his rising stature in the operatic world.
Throughout his career, Mr. Ramsey has participated in a number of prestigious
apprentice programs, which have been crucial to his artistic development. These
include programs with The Santa Fe Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Wolf Trap
Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Crested Butte Music
Festival. These experiences have helped hone his craft, providing opportunities
to work with esteemed directors, conductors, and fellow singers.
A native of Greenwich, CT, Mr. Ramsey was raised in a family that encouraged
his love of music. He began studying music at an early age and developed a
passion for opera. He went on to pursue training at the Manhattan School of
Music, where he was a Presidential and Presser Foundation Scholar. During his
time at MSM, he was awarded the prestigious Hugh Ross Award, which is given
annually to a “singer of unusual promise,” reflecting his early potential as a
professional opera singer. He holds a Masters degree in Music from the
University of California Santa Barbara where he is currently finishing his DMA.
As a passionate advocate for the arts and for the future of opera, Mr. Ramsey is
deeply committed to fostering the next generation of singers. In addition to his
active performing career, he dedicates significant time and energy to mentoring
young vocalists. Through masterclasses and vocal coaching, Mr. Ramsey works
to inspire and equip emerging artists with the skills and confidence needed to
succeed in the opera world. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at
Westmont College in Montecito, CA and is a Co-Founder of VoxOps Vocal
Studios, which provides training and consulting to singers across the country. His
dedication to nurturing talent and passing on his knowledge reflects his belief in
the importance of supporting young singers as they embark on their own artistic
journeys.
