Caroleve Thompson-Fonseka, Soprano, is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Canada. As a former member of the Toronto Opera Repertoire (Toronto City Opera), she performed the roles of Marguerite in Gounod's Faust, Amina in Bellini's La Sonnambula, Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata, Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme, Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosi fan tutti, Elvira in Bellini's I Puritani and the title roles in Puccini's Suor Angelica and Madama Butterfly, Massenet's Manon and Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Caroleve has also appeared as a soloist with Coro Giuseppe Verdi in productions of Dubois' The Seven Last Words of Christ, Rossini's Stabat Mater and in the role of Violetta in a concert version of Verdi's La Traviata. Other performances include solo recitals at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Harbourfront and the Canadian National Exhibition, plus appearances with the McMaster Symphony in Hamilton and the Brantford Symphony. Caroleve has also performed as a soloist on CBC Television. She has sung in many music festivals, including performances in Montreal and Vancouver, Canada; Llangollen, Wales; Vienna, Austria; Toulouse, France and Milan, Italy.
"It has been a long time since I have heard such beautifully clear high notes as were produced by soprano Caroleve Thompson."
John Kraglund, The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Canada.
Nihal Fonseka, Tenor, has performed in Asia, Europe and North America. With the Toronto Opera Repertoire (Toronto City Opera), he sang the roles of Des Grieux in Massenet's Manon, Arturo in Bellini's I Puritani and Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. He has also appeared as a soloist with Coro Giuseppe Verdi in productions of Dubois' The Seven Last Words of Christ, Rossini's Stabat Mater and in the role of Pollione in a concert version of Bellini's Norma. Nihal's other performances include the role of Nadir in Bizet's Les Pecheurs de Perles with the Mississauga City Centre Opera, an appearance with the Mississauga Symphony, plus a three-city operatic recital tour in California, U.S.A. Nihal has also performed on CBC Television,at the CNE Bandshell and made quite an impression in the world of popular music having been a headliner in the elegant Imperial Room at the Royal York Hotel (Toronto) on seven occasions, receiving rave reviews. In Las Vegas, U.S.A., he performed in the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel and was a guest on the Mike Douglas Show at the Desert Inn. He was also featured on the star-studded Palace Show hosted by Jack Jones.
"Is Nihal another Caruso then, as some people seem to think? He does have a strong voice, good breath control and sustaining power, plus more restraint than is usually found in tenors, no matter how famous."
William Littler, The Toronto Star, Toronto, Canada.
Caroleve and Nihal have been performing together since 1992 when they gave their first joint concert in Toronto followed by more concerts in 1993 and 1996, in addition to their performances together with the Toronto Opera Repertoire. They also appeared at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto in 2000 and 2007, singing solos and duets. Together they produced a Christmas CD titled A Treasury of Christmas Jewels. On a continuing basis, they are guest artists with the Encore Symphonic Concert Band at various concerts
throughout the year.
"In my experience as Artistic Producer of The Jubilee concert series at Roy Thomson Hall, few performers have thrilled audiences as much as Nihal and Caroleve Fonseka. Nihal commands the stage with a compelling presence lifting audiences with a stunning vocal range and a powerful delivery. Caroleve has a spectacularly beautiful voice and a marvellous technique. Each is unique in their individual performances but together in duet, both voices, so different, meld wonderfully, revealing the loveliest harmonies guided by passion, sensitive interpretation and innate musicality, performances which never fail to hold every audience in thrall."
Wayne Burnett.