In May 2025, John Holiday joined The English Concert, performing as Tolomeo, in their international touring production of Handel's Giulio Cesare. Tour stops included Opera Omaha, Carnegie Hall, and the Barbican Centre. John's performances gathered international critical praise, see below for the highlights:
The countertenor John Holiday was a nasty Tolomeo with a stylish approach to the music. Holiday navigated the role’s demanding shifts in register with grace, even when villainous. -The New York Times
Countertenor John Holiday was a spiteful, swaggering Tolomeo, most impressive in his dazzling high register. He also had the most striking outfit, with a burgundy coat and jeweled, high-heeled Louboutin boots. -The Wall Street Journal
As her brother, Tolomeo, countertenor John Holiday’s performance suggested [Cleopatra] wasn’t the only Egyptian royal with theatrical inclinations. Sporting sparkly Louboutins, Holiday’s piqued Pharoah — his vocal line peppered with appropriately excitable extensions — proved an essential part of the mix. -The Times (UK)★★★★★
John Holiday [had a] compelling turn as Cleopatra’s brother Ptolemy, his countertenor flexible, his ornamentation nimble.
-The Guardian★★★★
Holiday was marvelous... his sound was precise, slicing, and direct as a laser... It was fascinating to hear him sing on his own, and the scenes with Taylor, like “Belle dee di questo core,” were otherworldly. -New York Classical Review
John Holiday was in fiendish form as the villainous Tolomeo...Holiday's voice was in excellent shape -Musical America
Tolomeo was sung by John Holiday, whose beautiful voice contrasted with his character’s villainy. -Berkshire Fine Arts
...Tolomeo, played as a mincing, half-comical lecher by John Holiday [is] one of the most fluid-voiced countertenors around.
-Blog Critics
John Holiday sang vividly as Tolomeo. -Vivienne Schweitzer, Vivienne's Substack
John Holiday [was] camping it up as Tolomeo (love the jacket and the heels)... You knew they were all having a good time, and so did we, as four hours simply flew by. -The Arts Desk★★★★★
Cleopatra’s brother, the arrogant and devious Tolomeo, was stylishly played by John Holiday, whose agile, laser-focused countertenor was fascinating to hear as he smoothly bridged the role’s numerous and demanding vocal registers. Decked out in brightly colorful suits and Christian Louboutin sequined boots, his deft characterization straddled the line between the farcical and the villainous. -Classical Source
John Holiday stood out as Ptolemy, displaying a smooth, explosive, agile, and somber voice in temperament, giving his role a villainous quality -Pro Ópera
