Cape Town Concert Series 2011

Programme
Songs by Stradella, Liszt, Respighi, Tosti and Hahn.

South African-born tenor, Colin Lee has rapidly established himself as one of Britain’s leading tenors in the bel canto repertoire. Since his début just over 10 years ago, he has worked with most of the major houses around the world.

2007 saw the emergence of Colin’s international career when he sang the role of TONIO La fille du Regiment in Laurent Pelly’s new production for ROH, and LEOPOLD La Juive in Pierre Audi’s new production for Opéra national de Paris, Bastille, to great acclaim. In 2008 he made his house début in Athens for Greek National Opera in the title role Le Comte Ory, before returning to Paris to sing ALMAVIVA at the Bastille. He also made his house and role dé‘but at Opéra Comique, Paris in Hérold’s Zampa under the baton of William Christie. In 2009 he made his Metropolitan Opera house and role début as ARTURO in Lucia di Lammermoor, alongside Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon. Thereafter he made his house début at the Vienna Staatsoper as ALMAVIVA. He also made his role début as ARGIRIO in Tancredi at Theater an der Wien under the baton of René Jacobs before making his house and role début at Berlin Staatsoper as NARCISO, Il turco in Italia.

In 2010 Colin returned to ROH as NARCISO, Il turco in Italia and TONIO La fille du Regiment, a role he will reprise at ROH and Hamburg Staatsoper in 2012. In 2011 Colin makes his house and role début in the title role Plateé (Rameau) under the baton of René Jacobs for De Nederlandse Opera, Amsterdam and sings the role of ERNESTO, Don Pasquale at Opera Holland Park, under the baton of Richard Bonynge. In 2012 he returns to the Metropolitan Opera as ALMAVIVA.

Colin has enjoyed a decade-long relationship with the recording label Opera Rara during which time he has participated in 10 recordings for the label. Most recently he has recorded the role of ORESTE in Rossini’s Ermione which was released in 2010 to critical acclaim.

Colin is a Trustee of the Concordia Foundation, which supports and develops young musicians around the world.