South African-born tenor Colin Lee has rapidly established himself as one of Britain’s leading tenors in the bel canto repertoire. Since his début just over a decade ago, he has worked with most of the major houses around the world.

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Colin attended the world renowned Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School as a young boy. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Colin came to London in 1994 and commenced private vocal studies with the Welsh tenor, Jeffrey Talbot.

2007 saw the emergence of Colin’s international career when he sang the role of TONIO La fille du Regiment in Laurent Pelly’s new production for the Royal Opera House (ROH).  Later in 2007 he made his début at Paris Opera, Bastille as LEOPOLD, La Juive. In 2008 he made his début at the Vienna Staatsoper as ALMAVIVA and in 2009 as ARTURO at the Metropolitan Opera, alongside Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon.  In 2010 he made his role and house début as RODRIGO, La donna del lago at Paris Opera, Garnier alongside Joyce Di Donato and Juan Diego Florez.

In 2010 Colin sang the role of ARGIRIO, Tancredi, under the baton of René Jacobs, which led to a further collaboration between them in 2011 when Colin sang the title role in Rameau’s Platée for De Nederlandse Opera.  In 2012 Colin returns to the Metropolitan Opera to sing ALMAVIVA and he will also return to the Royal Opera House to reprise the role of TONIO. In 2013 he will reprise the role of RODRIGO, La donna del lago at ROH.

Colin has enjoyed a decade-long relationship with the recording label Opera Rara, during which time he has participated in 11 recordings for the label. Most recently he has recorded the role of GERARDO in Donizetti’s Caterina Cornaro. Opera Rara’s recording of Rossini’s Ermione released in 2011, in which Colin sang the role of ORESTE, was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Opera Recording 2011.

Colin is a Trustee of the Concordia Foundation, which supports and develops young musicians around the world.