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 some 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 - with whom he collaborated on Kevin Puts’s Silent Night. 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 alongside 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 discussed the project with General and Artistic Director, Kostis Protopappas, returning the titular role to a bass as was once done for Norman Treigle, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and Cesare Siepi. The production will also renew collaboration with the wonderful 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.
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.
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. Mr. Ramsey’s commanding presence and deep vocal artistry make him a standout in each production.
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.
