Asitha Tennekoon

Sri Lankan tenor Asitha Tennekoon has quickly established himself as one of Canada’s most impressive and versatile singing artists. He drew critical acclaim as Paul in Tapestry Opera/Scottish Opera’s Rocking Horse Winner, receiving the 2017 Dora Award for Best Male Performance.

On the concert stage Asitha is known for performing a wide variety of repertoire, from the Evangelist in Bach’s Passions to premiering new works. He has been a guest soloist with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Chorus Niagara, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Regina Symphony Orchestra, Grand Philharmonic Choir, Toronto Bach Festival, and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

In 2021/22, Asitha performs in “Rivers of Grief: A Journey through the Underworld”, with Vancouver’s re:Naissance Opera, joins colleagues in “Hasalala Danxalax: Marion Newman & Friends” at UBC Chan Centre, and debuts with Vancouver Bach Choir in Britten’s St. Nicolas Cantata.

Mr. Tennekoon’s operatic highlights include performances with Opéra de Montréal, Tapestry Opera, Against the Grain Theatre, Vancouver Opera, Soundstreams Canada, Opera on the Avalon, Opera 5, and Opera Lafayette (USA). After months of pandemic postponements, Asitha looks forward to debuts with Edmonton Opera as Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte and with Canadian Opera Company, as First Priest in Die Zauberflöte.

During the pandemic, Asitha performed with Tapestry Opera’s Box Concerts initiative, which brought live music to outdoor spaces in Toronto, including frontline workers and care home residents.

Asitha recently played the role of The Knave of Hearts in a filming of Elizabeth Raum’s The Garden of Alice with Pacific Opera Victoria and participated in Calgary Opera’s workshop of Namwayut with an Indigenous-led team of artists exploring new, generative paths of opera creation.

In addition to his artistic abilities, this year Asitha has taken an administrative role as a co-founder of Amplified Opera (AO), the Toronto -based Indie opera company that seeks to place artists at the centre of public discourse. As part of his work with AO, Asitha participates in online residencies, and leads webinars and mentorship sessions. He continues to advocate for meaningful change in the industry through AO’s two – year residency as Disruptor-In-Residence at the Canadian Opera Company.