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Artist of the Week 18 Qs for David Pomeroy

by | Nov 24, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Canadian tenor David Pomeroy. He will be singing the role of Cavaradossi in Puccini‘s Tosca with Manitoba Opera on November 22nd, 26th and 28th (tickets and info here).

David appears on the world’s biggest stages across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Recent highlights include performances with The Metropolitan Opera, New National Theatre Tokyo, Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Rhode Island Philharmonic. In 2020, he released his debut album, Great Tenor Arias, with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. 

This week, David chats with us about his musical upbringing in Newfoundland, his favourite cities to sing in and the artists he admires. Read on to find out more.

When was your first singing lesson (and with whom)?
I recall my very first singing lesson was when I was about seven years old, and it was with my grandfather, Ignatius Rumboldt (“Poppy”) who was my weekly teacher in voice, piano and theory every Saturday at his house in St. John’s.
 
What/who inspired you to sing?
Being raised in St. John’s surrounded by many musical genres, the biggest inspiration was my grandfather – he was the organist and director of music at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist and had a huge musical presence in the city. He was an Order of Canada recipient and a music builder.

Favourite city that you’ve worked in?
I’ve been fortunate to travel widely, but I’d say St. John’s, Newfoundland. Coming home and working there has a special meaning. Outside that home base, I’d pick Tokyo (when I debuted at the New National Theatre Tokyo) as a favourite city – unique culture, great audiences. I had amazing times in Cork and Glasgow too – it’s really about the people.
 
Favourite place?
My favourite place is probably at home in St. John’s.
 
Top 3 favourite composers
•    Giuseppe Verdi

•    Giacomo Puccini
•    Richard Wagner

 
Top 3 favourite operas
Tosca, Otello, Peter Grimes.
 
What’s your favourite opera house?
I’d say The Metropolitan Opera. I performed Hoffmann and Faust there. I love NYC.
 
Which opera role do you want to be singing right now?
Whatever I can get! I’m loving singing Cavaradossi again after several past productions.
 
Which opera role do you want to be singing in 10 years?
I’d love to give Otello a go before I retire.
 
Who is a singer you admired from the past?
I have deep admiration Pavarotti – his voice, his charisma, the way he brought opera to the world. I also feel deeply about Ermanno Mauro who was a thrilling singer and my mentor. There’s too many to list!

What’s your favourite orchestral instrument?
Violin!
 
What’s your favourite thing about singing with an orchestra?
The warm cushion of sound and support that allows time to make magic happen with the singing!
 
What’s something most people don’t know about opera life?
It’s difficult… downtime – rehearsals, waiting, travel – being away from loved ones and how important self-care is. Also, the uncertainty of the future, which in itself is often stressful.
 
Which roles do you wish you could sing, but are not in your voice type?
Rigoletto and Wotan.
 
Tent or hotel?
Tent in summer by a lake but definitely hotel – after travel and performance, I appreciate the comfort of a real bed, peace and quiet.
 
What are you afraid of?
Heights.
 
Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, tea in the evening – so both, depending on the time and need. Newfoundlanders love a cup of tea.
 
What is one surprising thing that you have learned?
I have learned that rock and heavy metal singing (which I did in my youth) actually helped strengthen my vocal technique and resilience for operatic singing.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DAVID POMEROY
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
© Gavin Young
Promo for Die Tote Stadt at Calgary Opera
© Greg Locke
Recording his debut album Great Tenor Arias

Tosca
Manitoba Opera

TOSCA: Marina Costa-Jackson
CAVARADOSSI: David Pomeroy
SCARPIA: Gregory Dahl
CONDUCTOR: Tyrone Paterson

 

Supremely Operatic!

Heart-pounding drama, intense passion, and soaring melodies are a killer combination in this fateful day in the life of the diva Tosca.

In revolutionary Rome, the fiery, famous singer lives for art and love but finds herself in a life-and-death struggle when her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is caught trying to protect a freedom fighter. Scarpia, the corrupt chief of police will stop at nothing to satisfy his lust for her. In this game of deadly political intrigue will Tosca submit to Scarpia’s desires or see her lover die? Can Scarpia’s evil reach from beyond the grave?

This spell-binding classic features some of Puccini’s best: “Vissi d’arte,” the opera’s most famous aria in which Tosca sings that she’s always lived her life for art and love; Cavaradossi’s “Recondita armonia”; Scarpia’s “Te Deum,” sung with self-satisfied villainy and madness; and “E lucevan le stelle,” Cavaradossi’s farewell to Tosca.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

MUSIC Giacomo Puccini
LIBRETTO Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
(Based on Victorien Sardou’s drama La Tosca)

TICKETS & INFORMATION

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Author

  • Máiri Demings

    Máiri Demings is Opera Canada’s digital content specialist. She’s also a mezzo-soprano who has sung with Tapestry Opera, performs regularly with VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert and Toronto Operetta Theatre, and is one half of duo mezzopiano with pianist Zain Solinski.

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