In January 2026, John Holiday earned widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Akhnaten at LA Opera. See highlights from the production below.
"magnificent" -Los Angeles Times
"...his Mozartian lyricism and pitch-perfect harmonizing are major assets to the show." - San Francisco Classical Voice
"John Holiday was truly a sight to behold. Stoic and eerily calm, with kindness and terror simultaneously evident on his face, he personified the ruler with an almost terrifying charisma." -Parterre Box
"...(Texas countertenor John Holiday, who has a preternaturally high-pitched voice), ascends to the throne in a spectacularly eye-popping, ritualistic coronation ceremony." -Seen and Heard International
"...John Holiday’s floating voice carries the part." - Culture Vulture
"In the titular role, John Holiday commands the space with a sanguine air of nobility." - Broadway World
"But countertenor John Holiday showed he was more than ready, delivering a fearless performance, not least when he holds a mysteriously regal presence during a long nude scene in which he slowly descends stairs before being dressed by his attendants." - Classical Voice North America
