Colin Atkins bares himself emotionally and physically in his portrayal of Tim. His ability to convey Tim’s passion, religious fervor and self-awareness through acting is matched in his expressive lyric tenor. Even at Tim’s most desperate moments, Atkins conveys the wonder and joy of having experienced unconditional love, even granting Hawk absolution for the devastating betrayal that ultimately separates them.
Seen and Heard International, Rick Perdian
As Tim, tenor Colin Aikins brought passion and ringing tone to a punishing role spanning naiveté, spiritual conflict and hard-won disillusionment. His confessional “Last Night” aria was a searing high point, underscored by newfound ecstasy.
The Seattle Times, Thomas May
…the force with which he projected his highs ultimately enhanced emotion. Additionally, his youthful handsomeness and slightly hunched posture were heaven-sent for the role of a subservient youth who twice attempts to flee the pains of closeted love without ever succeeding in breaking its hold.
Classical Voice North America, Jason Victor Serinus
If you want to experience the command and fervor in the voice, listen to Colin Aikins…
PBS/NPR
On the side of evil, Peter Quint was played by an attention-grabbing Colin Aikins, clad in a rather chic outfit of a gauzy see-through top and combat pants that made him a queasily attractive predator. He is a very fine actor, with presence and sizzling physical energy, and his Quint was more than sufficiently terrifying.
The Observer, Gabrielle Ferrari
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Colin Aikins, heralded tenor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, possessing “command and fervor in the voice” (NPR, Philadelphia), is a member of the International Opera Studio of the Staatsoper Hamburg. During the 2026-27 season highlights of a very dynamic schedule include a role debut as Malcom in a new production of Macbeth directed by Tobias Kratzer conducted by Tomáš Hanus, Rodolphe in a new production of Guillaume Tell staged by Tobias Kratzer led by Susanna Mälkki, Basilio in Stefan Herheim’s production of Le nozze di Figaro under the baton of Omer Meir Wellber, and Arturo in a revival of Lucia di Lammermoor.
The young tenor made his debuts last season at Seattle Opera and at the Glimmerglass Festival as Timothy Laughlin in Fellow Travelers – one of the most frequently performed new operas of the past decade adapted by composer Gregory Spears and librettist Greg Pierce from the Thomas Mallon novel recently released as a Showtime mini-series – in collaboration with New York-based artistic collective Up Until Now, staged by director Kevin Newbury. During his first season with the Staatsoper Hamburg, Colin Aikins bowed in productions of Salome and Lohengrin conducted by Music Director Omer Meir Wellber, Il trovatore led by Matteo Beltrami, and Ariadne auf Naxos under the baton of Johannes Debus.
Colin Aikins made a role debut as Prologue/Peter Quint in a new production of Britten’s The Turn of the Screw at Juilliard Opera directed by Mary Birnbaum led by Zachary Schwartzman. Past appearances under the auspices of Juilliard Opera also included Gianni Schicchi, Later the Same Evening by John Musto and Mark Campbell in a production directed by Alison Moritz and conducted by Joseph Colaneri, and concert performances of Purcell’s King Arthur with Lionel Meunier leading Juilliard415.
A committed recitalist, he has collaborated with Brian Zeger at Juilliard Songfest, with Steven Blier and the New York Festival of Song, and with Pierre Vallet in Liederabend.
Highlights of recent seasons include a role debut as Alfredo in performances of La traviata with City Lyric Opera, Fenton in Falstaff with the Aspen Opera Center, and many performances with Curtis Opera Theater including Albert Herring, Dangerous Liaisons, Highway 1 USA, Sweeney Todd, and Trouble in Tahiti.
Graduated from The Juilliard School with a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance under the tutelage of William Burden and a recipient of the prestigious Toulmin Foundation Scholarship, Colin Aikins earned his Bachelor’s degree at the Curtis Institute of Music studying with Julia Faulkner. He has been recognized with numerous awards including the 2023 Schwab Vocal Rising Star, the 2021 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, a 2018 Vocal Finalist in the National Young Arts Competition, and a 2018 NPR From the Top Finalist. He now studies in Hamburg with Chris Merritt.
Spears: Fellow Travelers (2026) - Trailer
Spears: “Last night” from Fellow Travelers
Stravinsky: "Here I Stand" from The Rake's Progress
Duparc: Phydilé
Gounod: "L'amour! L'amour! ... Ah! lève-toi, soleil!" from Roméo et Juliette
Contact
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