Recent Media

FIDELIO- as ROCCO at PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

¨Bass Valerian Ruminski provided a calm port in the whirlwind of Beethoven’s music, with his natural and affecting portrayal of prison warden Rocco as an essentially decent man caught between achieving justice for others and his own survival."

Robin J. Miller- Opera Canada Oct 17, 2018

"Bass Valerian Ruminski as Rocco really came into his stride in Act II, shining brilliantly in the trio, and his conflict about whether or not to follow his orders to aid in killing Florestan was very emotional and convincing."

Melissa Ratcliffe¨- Schmopera- Oct 15, 2018

"Valerian Ruminski, as Rocco, affectingly conveys a basically decent man weighed down by ethical compromises."

Kevin Bazzana-Times Colonist- Oct 13, 2018

EUGENE ONEGIN- as GREMIN at CALGARY OPERA

Valerian Ruminski in the role of Prince Gremin delivers a heartbreaking performance with volume, intensity and expression, and he manages to do so without the enormous vibrato that might otherwise dominate that role. You believe in his love, and you believe that Tatjana wants to stay with him and his loving being rather than his greatest love, Onegin.

Operascenen.dk by Ida Fogh Kiberg Odense Theatre performance (Denmark)- Nov.2019

"As Prince Germin in the final act, bass Valerian Ruminski turns in a standout performance. Ruminski’s vibrant voice filled the auditorium with a warmth and sensitivity that underscored his character’s love for Tatyana. On this night, Ruminski offered a truly endearing portrayal that elicited one of the warmest responses for the performance."

Oliver Munar- Schmopera- Feb 5, 2018

"In vocal terms, an excellent moment came in Valerian Ruminski’s great final act bass aria, which was delivered to excellent effect and with commanding voice. It was an outstanding moment in the production."

Kenneth Delong- Calgary Herald- Feb 4, 2018

RIGOLETTO- as Sparafucile and Monterone at CALGARY OPERA

"Valerian Ruminski in the double role of Count Monterone and Sparafucile, was sonorous and commanding, his acting in the second of these roles particularly effective in its sardonic undertone."

Kenneth Delong- Calgary Herald- April 7, 2019

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE- as Bartolo at San Jose Opera

"The doctor, Bartolo, is played by Valerian Ruminski, who convincingly plays the part of the older and perpetually paranoid male suitor; his mutterings and patronizing comments are complemented by Ruminski's deep baritone voice. "

Tad Malone, METROACTIVE, Nov 16, 2016

"As Bartolo, bass-baritone Valerian Ruminski commanded respect while being the funniest character of the evening. He offered powerful lyricism amid a sea of rapid fire passages in “A un dottor della mia sorte”. "

Elijah Ho, Mercury News, Nov 14th 2016

"Considering that Valerian Ruminski was undertaking the challenging part of Bartolo for the first time, he revealed much in his depiction of the devious curmudgeon. His outlandishly comic, brazenly mis-tuned aria in the Lesson Scene was alone worth the price of admission. "

James Sohre, OPERA TODAY

Bass-baritone Valerian Ruminski seemed willing to make any face and suffer any humiliation to make his Dr. Bartolo more pathetic. His jealous aria, “A un dottor della mia sorte,” was masterful, and his bad singing in the music lesson scene was hilarious.

Michael Vaughn, OPERAVILLE

SHOT! (WORLD PREMIERE)- as President McKinley at Nickel City Opera

Valerian Ruminski, the barrel-voiced bass who founded and leads Nickel City Opera, plays the president, and you could not imagine better casting. Ruminski has his own star power. He owns the role, and plays it with heart and enthusiasm. You will never see McKinley in the same way again. Vehar tailored the music to Ruminski and it fits him like a fine suit. The scenes involving McKinley are the best in the show. Watching him wave away security and greet the crowd with leisurely grace, hearing him on his deathbed calling for a cigar – you keep wishing things had turned out differently.

Mary Kunz Goldman, THE BUFFALO NEWS June 12, 2016

LAKME- as Nilakantha with Calgary Opera

"Both Kutan and Ruminski were superb here, in a tense father-daughter tug of war. Moreover, Ruminski’s unremitting anger throughout the opera was a near-perfect, staunch characterization of a displaced and vengeance-filled Brahmin"

Stephan Bonfield, CALGARY HERALD, Nov 22, 2015

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO as Figaro with Nickel City Opera

"Company chief Valerian Ruminski makes an earthy, appealing Figaro. And as is the case whenever Ruminski is on stage in any opera, he commands attention. The show has a lot of funny moments, and his are among the funniest. He wears the part well, and that booming voice is a kick."

Mary Kunz Goldman, THE BUFFALO NEWS, June 25th, 2015

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN-as Daland with Calgary Opera

The role of Daland is always an opportunity for a basso profundo to take centre stage and Valerian Ruminski was great. Even better was his duet with Mr. Fink in Act I – where the deal is struck for the Dutchman to marry Daland’s daughter Senta. It was great stuff. And his timing in the opera’s only truly comic scene in Act III was well played."

CALGARY HERALD Feb 12, 2014

"Fink is well paired with Valerian Ruminski as the Norwegian captain Daland, whose voice is slightly contrasted with the Dutchman, as his character is also only somewhat different. These differences nicely counterpoint the Dutchman's inner intensity, as they emerge against the more practical, human Daland, who is (at least occasionally) sentimental and humorous."

Kenneth DeLong, CALGARY HERALD, Feb 2, 2014

THE MAGIC FLUTE- as Sarastro for The Lismore Festival (Ireland)

"Valerian Ruminski was sonorous, stately and authoritative."

Michael Dervan, THE IRISH TIMES, June 4, 2014

DON PASQUALE- as Don Pasquale with Nickel City Opera

"It is a rare treat to see Ruminski, the head of NCO, heading the cast. He can always be counted on to be a ham, when the occasion demands it, and this one does. Even at the dress rehearsal, his energy jumped off the stage. His bass voice boomed. He has performed this role before, with Opera Hawaii, and is at home in it. He was always 150 percent engaged, up to something

Mary Kunz Goldman, THE BUFFALO NEWS, June 27, 2013

MACBETH- as Banquo with Opera Ireland (Dublin)

"American Bass Valerian Ruminski as Banquo and Bulgarian Tenor Kamen Chanev as Macduff provide the production with some of its most effective scenes."

Harvey O'Brien, CULTUREVULTURE, 2010

RODELINDA- as Garibaldo with Portland Opera

"Bass Valerian Ruminski was so terrific as “Garibaldo” that I dearly wished the role were not so small. He tore up the stage with his solidly projected arias and theatrical conviction."

James Sohre, OPERA TODAY, Feb 17, 2008

THE MAGIC FLUTE- as Sarastro for Opera Ireland

"The larger-than-life serious presences, notably the colourfully imposing Sarastro of Valerian Ruminski, are soberly calm."

Michael Dervan, THE IRISH TIMES, April 4, 2005

ERMIONE- as Feniscio- NEW YORK CITY OPERA

Resonant bass Valerian Ruminski (Fenicio) impressed with an excellent bel canto technique.

David Shengold- GAY CITY NEWS-April 22, 2004