A selection of roles from Peter McGillivray’s operatic and concert repertoire, featuring video clips, production photos and press reviews.
ITALIAN COMIC ROLES
Dr. Bartolo — Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)
One of the great showstopper roles in comic opera, Dr. Bartolo combines razor-sharp comic timing with demanding vocal writing. Peter McGillivray has performed this role with companies across Canada including Vancouver Opera, Calgary Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Lyra Ottawa and Opéra de Québec.
“One of the best elements of this production is Peter McGillivray as Dr. Bartolo… McGillivray doesn’t miss a trick, drawing from the role every ounce of comedy.” — Kenneth DeLong, Calgary Herald
“Peter McGillivray as the buffoonish baritone Dr. Bartolo embraced the silliness…He owns this opera. He owns this opera. He’s so funny and a great singer.” — David Lennam, CBC Radio One
“High praise is owed to baritone Peter McGillivray for his virtuoso performance as Bartolo. “— Natasha Gauthier, Ottawa Citizen
Don Magnifico — La Cenerentola (Rossini)
Don Magnifico is one of the great comic bass roles in the Rossini repertoire — a pompous, deluded stepfather whose physical comedy and vocal demands make it one of the most rewarding buffo roles in opera. Peter McGillivray has performed this role with Vancouver Opera, Edmonton Opera and Manitoba Opera.
“If there is a baritone anywhere who can deliver the comic role of Don Magnifico better than Peter McGillivray, I’d like to hear him.” — David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun
“The audience favorite of this production was undoubtedly the Don Magnifico of Peter McGillivray, an actor with a phenomenal gift for physical comedy.” — Nicholas Krusek, Vancouver Classical Music
“Even the role of Don Magnifico (a buffo bass) needs a voice as nimble as it is muscular and Peter McGillivray was hilarity itself as Cenerentola’s sycophantic, self-serving step-father. He also was physically agile, a decided plus for the slapstick elements of Peake’s direction.” — Robert Jordan, Opera Canada
Dulcamara — L’Elisir d’Amore (Donizetti)
The roguish travelling quack doctor Dulcamara is one of the great comic bass roles in Italian opera — a larger-than-life charlatan whose charm and wit drive the entire plot. Peter McGillivray made his role debut as Dulcamara with Manitoba Opera in 2024 to great acclaim.
“His rich baritone is as deep as the bonny blue sea, infused with a stream of deliciously rolled Rs.” — Holly Harris, Winnipeg Free Press
Dr. Bartolo — Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart)
While smaller in scope than his Rossini counterpart, Mozart’s Dr. Bartolo is a dramatically important role requiring both vocal authority and comic precision. Peter McGillivray has performed this role with Manitoba Opera, Edmonton Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria and Opera Lyra Ottawa.
“McGillivray’s Bartolo was impressive, less boorish and a little more menacing than most.” — Natasha Gauthier, Ottawa Citizen
“Peter McGillivray was his usual talented self, singing perfectly as Bartolo while having several sparkling comic moments.” — Leslie Barcza, BarczaBlog.com
OTHER OPERA ROLES
Bottom — A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten)
One of the great comic roles in the English opera repertoire, Bottom the weaver is a scene-stealing tour de force combining slapstick comedy, lyrical singing and physical transformation. Peter McGillivray made his acclaimed debut as Bottom with Vancouver Opera in 2023.
“Peter McGillivray was at his scene-stealing best as Bottom.” — David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun
“Peter McGillivray, who brought the house down last year in VO’s HMS Pinafore, continues his scene-stealing antics with Bottom.” — Janet Smith, Stir Arts and Culture
“There is a standout performance from baritone Peter McGillivray who is appropriately outrageous as Nick Bottom.” — John Jane, Review Vancouver
Sir Joseph Porter – HMS Pinafore (Gilbert & Sullivan)
The pompous, self-important First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter is one of the great Gilbert & Sullivan comic roles — a masterclass in over-the-top British buffoonery. Peter McGillivray performed this role to great acclaim with Vancouver Opera.
“Peter McGillivray is the show-stealer, a comedic standout as the pompous, bumbling Sir Joseph Porter.” — Janet Smith, Stir Arts and Culture
“It must be said that Peter McGillivray stole the show as the self-regarding, incompetent First Lord of the Admiralty. With impeccable timing, surprisingly delicate movement, and an accent to die for.” — Elizabeth Paterson, Review Vancouver
“Baritone Peter McGillivray was encouraged to play his part as Sir Joseph Porter with over-the-top abandon; his way with the authentic G&S material was impeccable.” — David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun
Schaunard – La Bohème (Puccini)
Performed with Canadian Opera Company, Calgary Opera, Manitoba Opera and Opera Lyra Ottawa
“Former Ensemble member Peter McGillivray nearly stole the show as a lively and big-voiced Schaunard.” — Joseph So, La Scena Musicale
Stubb — Moby Dick (Heggie)
One of the best character roles in contemporary American opera, Stubb the second mate is a scene-stealing comic presence in Jake Heggie’s acclaimed adaptation of Melville’s classic. Peter McGillivray has performed this role with Calgary Opera and Dallas Opera.
“Tenor David Cangelosi and baritone Peter McGillivray sing splendidly as, respectively, Flask and Stubb.”— Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News
Don Pizarro — fidelio (Beethoven)
The scheming, ruthless prison governor Don Pizarro is one of the great villain roles in the operatic repertoire — a dramatically demanding role requiring both vocal power and committed acting. Peter McGillivray performed this role with Pacific Opera Victoria
“Baritone Peter McGillivray as Pizarro portrayed his character’s pettiness and cruelty with aplomb. He conveyed villainy rooted in pure selfishness — he was met with a rousing chorus of boos at the curtain call, well-deserved and for all the right reasons!” — Melissa Ratcliff, Schmopera.com
“McGillivray was fondly booed during his curtain call — sure evidence of effective villainy.” — Kevin Bazzana, Victoria Times-Colonist
Sharpless — Madama Butterfly (Puccini)
The American consul Sharpless is one of the great baritone roles in the Puccini repertoire — a man of conscience caught between duty and compassion. Peter McGillivray has performed this role with Saskatoon Opera and Opéra de Québec.
“The Saskatchewan-born Peter McGillivray gave us a perfect Sharpless, kind but ineffectual as his name suggests. His rich baritone was full and distinct, while he warmly portrayed the ‘nice man’ in Butterfly’s exploding life.” — Opera Canada
“Peter McGillivray campe un Sharpless impeccable sur les plans vocal et scénique.” — Louis Bilodeau, L’Avant-scène Opéra