Italian Comic Roles
A selection of roles from Peter McGillivray’s operatic and concert repertoire, featuring video clips, production photos and press reviews.
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
“He owns this opera. He’s so funny and a great singer.” — David Lennam, CBC Radio One
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)
The bohemian musician Schaunard is a scene-stealing comic presence whose energy and wit drive much of the opera’s lighter moments. Peter McGillivray has performed this role with the Canadian Opera Company, Calgary Opera and 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
“Peter McGillivray [last-minute replacement on opening night] goes all out in the too-brief role of Schaunard.” — ConcertoNet
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
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
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
Dr. Falke — Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss II)
The charming mastermind behind the elaborate practical joke at the heart of Die Fledermaus, Dr. Falke is a wonderfully elegant comic role McGillivray has performed with Opera Hamilton and Edmonton Opera
“Falke, the mastermind behind the grand practical joke on Gabriel, was admirably sung with warm, round tone by Peter McGillivray.” — The Hamilton Spectator
Father — Hansel & Gretel (Humperdinck)
The warm-hearted, well-meaning but hapless father in Humperdinck’s beloved fairy-tale opera is a role combining lyrical singing with genuine dramatic depth. Peter McGillivray performed this role with Edmonton Opera.
“Peter McGillivray’s booming baritone commanded the room, and despite his starving wife’s berating, he injected a warm, resilient optimism into the proceedings.” — Bill Rankin, Opera Canada
“Baritone Peter McGillivray, with his strong voice and character acting, was particularly effective as the father.” — Mark Morris, Edmonton Journal
Sacristan — Tosca (Puccini)
The bumbling, comic Sacristan is a scene-stealing supporting role in Puccini’s dramatic masterpiece. Peter McGillivray made his role debut as the Sacristan with Manitoba Opera in 2025.
CONTEMPORARY OPERA & NEW WORKS
Peter McGillivray has been a leading interpreter of new Canadian opera, creating multiple world premiere roles in collaboration with Tapestry Opera and other companies. His Dora Award-nominated performance in The Overcoat established him as one of Canada’s foremost interpreters of contemporary opera.
The Overcoat — A Musical Tailoring (Morris Panych & James Rolfe) Canadian Stage / Tapestry Opera / Vancouver Opera 
Dora Award Nomination — Outstanding Performance
One of the landmark productions of contemporary Canadian opera, The Overcoat — A Musical Tailoring brought together the talents of playwright Morris Panych and composer James Rolfe in a darkly comic adaptation of Gogol’s classic story. Peter McGillivray created the dual roles of Petrovich the tailor and the Head of Department for this co-production of Tapestry Opera, Canadian Stage and Vancouver Opera.
“Worthy of a big nod is Peter McGillivray in his dual roles as the tailor Petrovich and Head of the Department. He mastered Gorling’s aesthetic, physicalizing everything from pomposity to functional addiction with eerie precision… He was an utter riot.” — Jenna Simeonov, The Globe and Mail
“Head of the Department and the tailor Petrovich were both played exquisitely (and hilariously) by Tapestry regular Peter McGillivray.” — Gregory Finney, Schmopera.com
“McGillivray’s mastery of characterization, embodied as much in voice as posture and pose, is remarkable.” — Ian Ritchie, Opera Going Toronto
“Special kudos going to Peter McGillivray in the buffoon role for his hilarious physical and vocal antics.” — John Terauds, Toronto Star