Praised for his “mahogany-timbred” voice and “imposing presence” by Opera News, with The Washington Post acclaiming the “sinister undercurrent” of his sound and his lows “smoldering like magma,” Wm. Clay Thompson is anchoring himself as one of the most promising basses of his generation. During the 2025-2026 season, Mr. Thompson reprises Colline in La bohème with Madison Opera and debuts the roles of Mark Torrance / Forest Ranger in The Shining (Moravec / Campbell) with Nashville Opera and Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Charleston Opera Theater. He also returns to the role of Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro with Finger Lakes Opera, and sings as the bass soloist in Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin with the Syracuse Orchestra. In the 2026-2027 season, Mr. Thompson will make house and role debuts as the title role in Don Giovanni and Escamillo in Carmen with Opera San Jose. He will also make a return to Madison Opera as Oroveso in Norma.