American Bass Wm. Clay Thompson has been praised by Opera News for his “mahogany-timbred” voice. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Mr. Thompson is a Ryan Opera Center artist at Lyric Opera of Chicago where he sang Zuniga in Carmenon the mainstage last season and covered roles in Ernani, Le comte Ory, and others. This season, he sings the King in Aïda with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Known for his "...strong, rich, and warm color, [with] the ability to cross over into bass-baritone repertoire," the recent seasons saw him make his Metropolitan Opera début in the Octet in Brett Dean’s Hamlet. In addition, he covered the Master of Ceremonies in Cinderella with the Metropolitan Opera and sang Zuniga in Carmen with Arizona Opera. He also covered the role of Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream  with Santa Fe Opera as well as cancelled performances as Zuniga in Carmen with Arizona Opera and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. [read more...]