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Wm. Clay Thompson

@wmclaythompson

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Kentucky Colonel • Opera Singer • Bourbon Anorak
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Now: Oroveso - Norma - @madison_opera 🧙‍♂️

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Bass Wm. Clay Thompson @wmclaythompson debuted with us last fall as Colline in La Bohème and now returns as Oroveso, the head of the Druids, who is preparing his people for a rebellion against the invading Romans. Read on to learn more about Clay!

#MadisonOpera #Norma #Bellini #opera by @wmclaythompson

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16 hours ago

Who am I to argue with the critics? 😏😈

Don Giovanni - @operasanjose - 2026

Don Giovanni - @wmclaythompson
Leporello - @philliplopezmusic
Donna Elvira - @mariabreasoprano
Donna Anna - @yulanpiaosoprano
Don Octavio - @jonghyun__park
Zerlina - @nicolegabriellekoh
Masetto - @joseph_park__bassbaritone
Commendatore - @kenneth.kellogg

Director - @alekshrader
Conductor - @josephmarcheso
Assistant Conductor - @gonzalezjacob.conductor
Assistant Director - @markanthonydrama
Stage Manager - @jenisejam
Costume Designer - caitccisek
Scenic Design - @stevenckempdesign
Wig, Hair & Make-Up Designer - @bunnyhuggums
Fight Choreographer - @dipaola.brandon
Photo Credit - @leporiphoto

I am BEYOND grateful for everyone who had a hand in making this production happen!
First Giovanni in the books! taken in California Theatre by @wmclaythompson

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18 days ago

⚡️ “A Thor in Spaniard’s clothing.”

Operaville said it best: “Our title character is played by bass Wm. Clay Thompson, who projects the aura of a rock star: tall, blonde and good-looking… And what clothing!”

Turn your sound on and enjoy this clip of Wm. Clay Thompson performing Don Giovanni’s captivating Act II aria, “Deh, vieni alla finestra.” 🎶

Only TWO performances remain to experience this sensational production live at the California Theatre! Don’t miss your chance—grab your tickets now before they’re gone. Click the DONNIEG Link in our bio! 🎟️✨

#DonGiovanni #OperaSanJose #WmClayThompson #DehVieniAllaFinestra #Opera #BayAreaEvents #LiveMusic #OperaTok #CaliforniaTheatre by @wmclaythompson

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24 days ago

🌸 MUSIC MONDAY 🌸 - “When the Buds Are Blossoming”

What better way to start the week than with a little Gilbert & Sullivan?

This famous, upbeat madrigal from “Ruddigore” brings the spirit of spring to life with all the wit, energy, and playful charm of Gilbert & Sullivan.

The performance comes from NYFOS’s 2023 “Perennials: Songs for Every Season”, a musical portrait of the year created and co-hosted by Steven Blier and Peter Dugan. The program explores how every season has its own language, its own colors, and its own songs, moving from autumn and winter through the rebirth of spring and into the warmth of summer.

As Steven Blier writes, the program ultimately became a reminder that “every season has its own unique joys, and that music is always there to see us through”.

So let’s welcome the week with a little springtime energy. 🌱🎶

#MusicMonday #NYFOS #Perennials #SongsForEverySeason #GilbertAndSullivan taken in Kaufman Music Center by @wmclaythompson

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a month ago

🎭 TAKEOVER ALERT! 🎭

Bass Wm. Clay Thompson is taking over our Instagram Stories today! 📸✨

Ever wondered what goes into preparing for the legendary title role in Mozart’s masterwork? Clay is taking you behind the scenes for an exclusive, inside look at rehearsals, backstage life, and a day in the life of Opera San José’s Don Giovanni.

Head over to our Stories now to follow along, ask your burning questions, and catch all the action before it disappears! 💥

🎟️ Get your tickets: Tap the DONNIEG Link in bio to secure your seats!

#OperaSanJose #DonGiovanni #WmClayThompson #OperaTakeover #BehindTheScenes #BayAreaArts #LiveOpera #OperaLife by @wmclaythompson

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a month ago

We are thrilled to welcome bass Wm. Clay Thompson to Opera San José as a 2026–2027 Resident Artist! 🎭

Praised by Opera News for his “mahogany-timbred” voice and The Washington Post for his lows “smoldering like magma,” Mr. Thompson has performed on renowned stages including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Santa Fe Opera. This season, San José audiences will see him make his house and role debuts as the title character in Don Giovanni and as Escamillo in Carmen.

Enjoy this preview of Clay performing “Ecco il mondo” from Boito’s Mefistofele! 🎶👇

We have a stellar roster to share—keep an eye on our feed as we reveal our next Resident Artist soon!

🎟️ Tap the ARTISTS link in our bio to meet the full 2026–2027 cohort!

Join us in giving him a warm welcome to Silicon Valley! by @wmclaythompson

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2 months ago

My excitement to open the season here at @operasanjose as one of opera’s most infamous villains, Don Giovanni, has been building for months.

This role has always felt a bit like a fever dream far beyond my reach, but with each day of rehearsal, it grows more and more tangible. The charm, the danger, the humor, the darkness. Qualcun batte.

We’re getting closer. taken in San Jose, California by @wmclaythompson

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2 months ago

This one was certainly one I won’t forget.

So grateful to @fingerlakesopera and @haveystephanie for an incredibly joyful Marriage of Figaro, and especially to this wonderful cast for making the whole process so much fun. Getting to finish the Mozart/Da Ponte trilogy with @adamturner7 on the podium made it all the more meaningful. (3 VERY different worlds of Mozart)

And, because live theater always has a few surprises… two fire alarms during the Act II finale made our second performance particularly memorable. Somehow, we came back with even more energy, and so did the audience who stuck with us.

Until next time, Figgy. taken in Finger Lakes Opera by @wmclaythompson

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2 months ago

It’s Opening Night!!

Few things match the energy of hearing that iconic overture from backstage, right before stepping out as Figaro. I can’t wait!!!
We have an incredible cast here at Finger Lakes Opera, and the energy we’re bringing to Rochester tonight is unmatched.

The plots are in motion, the orchestra is tuned, and the wedding is finally happening.
𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘰, 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘰, 𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘻𝘻𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳!! 💈💍🤵🏻‍♂️

——

Le nozze di Figaro - W.A. Mozart
@fingerlakesopera
Director - @haveystephanie
Conductor - @adamturner7
Head of Muisc/ Harpsichord - @brocktjosvoldpiano
Chorus Master - @crisfrisco
Costume Design - Mary Farmer
Wig and Makeup - @deebeautyrps
Stage Manager - @_schlau3.5
Asst. Stage managers - @rileyjisrael / @grantjfcrowson

—

Figaro - Wm. Clay Thompson
Susanna - @ashleyemersonsoprano
Il Conte - @jgmichie
La Contessa - @daniellabrancato
Cherubino - @graceryanmezzo
Marcellina - @mariahegraves
Don Bartolo - @josephrbarron
Don Basilio - @jeffreylkerst
Don Curzio - @jonathanellwanger
Barbarina - @lorabashmakian
Antonio - Zinnia Frank taken in Panara Theatre by @wmclaythompson

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2 months ago

@wmclaythompson bringing the drama in the best way. taken in New York, New York by @wmclaythompson

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2 months ago

Verdi Requiem debut tonight!

Performing with the Syracuse Orchestra and Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín, this is more than a concert. It’s a tribute to the courage and resilience of the prisoners of Terezín, and to Rafael Schächter, who led them in performing this monumental work under unimaginable circumstances.

Hearing their story last night was deeply moving. With a single smuggled score, they performed the Requiem 16 times before liberation. An act of defiance, humanity, and truth.

This music is one of the greatest masterpieces I’ve ever heard. Tonight, it carries even more weight.
“We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say to them.”

#VerdiRequiem #DefiantRequiem #SyracuseOrchestra #Opera #ClassicalMusic
@stratagemartists taken in Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater by @wmclaythompson

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6 months ago

🎶Buona sera🎶 and goodbye to the beautiful lowcountry! Playing Don Basilio this last month was a blast, especially all his questionable morals.
Huge thanks to @charlestonoperatheatre for having me back. Opera is alive and well in Charleston!

#LaCalunnia #Basilio #IlBarbiereDiSiviglia #ChatlestonSC #DoWeLikeTheMustache
@stratagemartists taken in Sottile Theater by @wmclaythompson

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7 months ago