Canadian tenor Graeme Linton is deeply inspired by the power of storytelling through music. His diverse interests in art song repertoire and romantic opera have been cultivated through his Graduate Diploma and Bachelor of Music in Voice and Opera from McGill University. His academic training was entrenched in experiential learning through extensive performances in choruses, operatic productions, and solo recital works. More recent performances include appearances with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir as the Evangalist in Bach’s Weihnachts Oratorium, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra singing in Mahler’s Symphony No.2 “Resurrection”, and at Opera Nuova, as Bill in Jonathan Dove’s Flight.
Some of Graeme’s most memorable musical experiences lay outside of the traditional classical space. Many of his first musical memories are of singing in hospice care centers, giving a lasting desire to share music with all. Performing operatic arias and classical art song in the streets of Berlin, where he sang for his supper, remains one of his favourite musical experiences. For Graeme, sharing and communicating through music is central to his artistic vision.
Yet, it’s the spirit of creative collaboration that energizes Graeme’s emerging artistry the most, which has inspired co-creations with the likes of Juno Award winning Ensemble Caprice through the Ensemble Art Choral. Recently, Graeme took part in the Interplay program at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, where he sang and workshopped the role of Nick in Poul Ruder’s The Handmaids Tale. Collaborating and working with new music in the Canadian cultural sphere is fundamental to his artistic ethos. Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Victoria, Graeme’s mission is to continually expand the frontiers of his talent as a vocalist, while creating opportunities that engage his curatorial vision on stage and in the recording studio.