Nicholas Burns

COUNTERTENOR

From Vancouver, countertenor Nicholas Burns has been described as possessing a "thrilling voice" that "caresses the ear with its velvet" and past performances have been described as a "revelation" (Opera Canada, le Devoir, Süddeutsche Zeitung). Recent performances include those with Les Arts Florissant, L'Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Tafelmusik, and the Early Music Vancouver. During his studies at the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme, Nicholas performed Bach cantatas with Philippe Herreweghe. He has also appeared with the American Bach Soloists, BachFest Leipzig, JSB Ensemble Stuttgart, Early Music Vancouver, Arion Baroque Orchestra, Opera San Miguel de Allende, The Theatre of Early Music, le Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, Vancouver Opera, I Musici, and frequent collaborator L'Harmonie des saisons. Upcoming performances include engagements with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Opera Sofia (Bulgarian State Opera), Opera San Miguel de Allende, Arion Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Opera, Symphony Nova Scotia, Tafelmusik, and the Montréal Bach Festival.

In 2023 Nicholas was a winner of  the New York Oratorio Society competition at Carnegie Hall, Les Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques, the Vancouver International Music Competition, and Edmonton Opera's Rumbold Vocal Prize. On the opera stage, Nicholas has performed in numerous Handel operas including Cesare in Handel's Giulio Cesare, Bertarido in Rodelinda, Polinesso in Ariodante, and Lichas in Hercules. He also gave the world premiere of the opera L'Orangeraie by French composer Zad Moultaka. Aside from singing, Nicholas is an accomplished bagpiper, having won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2012.