_edited.jpg)
Valerian Ruminski American Opera Singer
Recent Media
CANDLE OPERA CONCERT- Nickel City Opera -Buffalo NY
Ruminski filled the center with his commanding stage presence and rich bass voice...
Mary Lou Wyrobek- American Polish Eagle Newspaper- June 15, 2026
DON GIOVANNI as IL COMMENDATORE at THE BLACKWATER FESTIVAL in LISMORE, IRELAND
Valerian Ruminski brought gravitas and a sombre change of mood to his role as the Commendatore at the
end. His bass voice easily dominated the stage and his acting was equally convincing.
Bachtrack by Andrew Lincoln- May 28, 2026
The anything-but-comic bookending of this dramma giocoso was immensely enriched, too, by Valerian Ruminski's Commendatore.
David Nice- The Arts Desk-May 28, 2026
American bass, Valerian Ruminski emerges from the broom cupboard to add gravitas and impressive vocal heft to the final scene.
Cathy Desmond- Irish Examiner- May 29, 2026
Valerian Ruminski had a great time as the revived Commendatore, strong and characterful.
Robert Thickenesse- Opera Now- May 29 2026
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO- as BARTOLO/ANTONIO at TOBS! BIEL, SWITZERLAND
Valerian Ruminski as Bartolo and Antonio is a delight. He enhances his characters to be a very lively portrait.
Der Bund- Peter Konig Sept 2024
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