‘Music brings me closer to people’: John Holiday on his love of opera

On April 15, at Maryland Hall, he stars in Annapolis Opera’s concert Voices of Our Time. A multi-genre artist, Holiday generously spoke with DC Theater Arts about his love of opera.

OutSmart Magazine

August 1, 2022

Hitting Life's High Notes

John Holiday continues taking his opera career to new heights.

Classical Music Singer

July 25, 2022

John Holiday: At Home at The Met and on Your Screen

John Holiday joins Classical Singer Magazine to talk singing, self-care, and his success in opera and pop.

Opera America

October 15, 2021

My First Opera: John Holiday

"I know it sounds like a cliché, but there are so many wonderful things out there, and if you dream about it, you can achieve it." - John Holiday

Indie Opera Podcast

January 31, 2021

Indie Opera Podcast - Episode 77

John Holiday featured on episode 77 on "Indie Opera Podcast"

OperaWire

June 28, 2020

The 30 Influential LGBTQIA+ Players in Opera

Countertenor John Holiday has quickly established himself as a fast-rising singer to watch. Holiday has performed with the LA Opera, Washington National Opera, Spoleto Festival, Wolf Trap Opera, and Portland Opera, among others.

WQXR

June 19, 2020

IN CONVERSATION – With John Holiday

In January, WQXR’s James Bennett, sat down with opera singer John Holiday to talk about the relationship of black America with opera.

inspiremore

June 19, 2020

Man With Rare Voice Is Dazzling The World With His High Notes

John Holiday has the kind of voice that demands attention. Some people even have a hard time believing it’s his! Not only is the New York-based opera singer talented, but he’s also one of a kind. Looking at him, you might expect to hear a deep, booming voice. But when he opens his mouth to perform, the opposite comes out!

Great Big Story

April 13, 2020

Great Big Story: This Musician Can Sing the Highest of High Notes

“My life has been a story,” Holiday says. “It’s a dream that I could have never imagined.”

The Pride Los Angeles

February 3, 2020

Q&A: Being Openly Gay at LA Opera

LA Opera begins the new year with a new opera: the world premiere of “Eurydice” by composer Matthew Aucoin and librettist Sarah Ruhl, based on her 2003 play of the same name. Opening night was this past weekend. The Pride LA spoke with Orpheus’ double, John Holiday, about his experience with the opera.

Los Angeles Blade

January 30, 2020

Acclaimed countertenor joins LA Opera for ‘Eurydice’ premiere

Renowned countertenor John Holiday is about to bring his remarkable talents to Los Angeles, as he stars in a world premiere at the LA Opera.

WQXR

January 6, 2020

WQXR Presents "20 For 20": Artists To Watch for the Upcoming Year

Classical music, as an art form, is far from dead. Here are 20 notable musicians and ensembles proving it.

SMU

September 1, 2019

How We Met

Practice, of course, is still key. There’s no getting around putting in those long, hard hours of work refining technique and diction in lessons and in the practice room. But, says countertenor John Holiday, getting to the Met stage requires something else as well: a village of support.

WFAA

March 6, 2019

Local countertenor rewrites the songbook

The unique voice of John Holiday headlines "Sculpting Sounds" presented by The Dallas Opera at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

The New Yorker

April 27, 2018

The Gospel-Inflected Opera of John Holiday

When John Holiday was growing up in Texas, he went to church every single day. His grandmother—he calls her Big Mama—encouraged Holiday and his siblings to sing, but, one by one, as they grew up, they stopped, except for Holiday, who went on to become a professional countertenor [...] with a thriving operatic career."

The Los Angeles Times

April 18, 2018

John Holiday, the man singing Bernstein with the highest of high voices in Disney Hall

Listening to a man singing like a female soprano can make some people uneasy. But the ears quickly adjust when the voice is John Holiday's.

OperaWire

March 1, 2017

Artist of The Week: John Holiday Is A Countertenor On The Rise

Holiday’s star is rising and this week he will once again have a chance to prove it at the Bruce R. Foote Foundation Concert. Critics have raved about Holiday and have stated that his voice is “powerful and agile and has an immense range, with seamless registers top to bottom.”

The Washington Post

January 12, 2017

African American countertenor John Holiday wins prestigious Anderson opera award

John Holiday is an impressive figure on an opera stage. He’s one of the sweetest-voiced countertenors I’ve encountered, with a mellifluous sound supported by clean crisp diction. He’s physically imposing: large and powerful.

Washington National Opera

January 12, 2017

John Holiday is the 2017 winner of The Marian Anderson Vocal Award

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced that countertenor John Holiday is the 2017 winner of the Marian Anderson Vocal Award.

The Post and Courier

May 30, 2015

Countertenor John Holiday Steals The Festival

John Holiday spent a month and a half training to sing Mandarin for the role of First Male Voice in the world premiere of “Paradise Interrupted” at this year’s Spoleto Festival USA.

BroadwayWorld

March 9, 2015

John Holiday to sing at New York City Opera’s Gala Concert, 3/9

John Holiday, countertenor and recent third prize winner at Placido Domingo's Operalia Competition, will substitute for an ailing David Daniels in today's New York City Opera Renaissance: A Celebration of the the life Maestro Julius Rudel, to be held Monday, March 9, 2015 at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz Lincoln Center

Out Smart Magazine

February 1, 2015

John Holiday Sings Love Songs

Born in Houston, Holiday’s family moved to Rosenberg in Fort Bend County, where he was raised. He started singing in church (and his ABCs in school) at age two, and performed his first solo, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” in the second grade at Travis Elementary.

San Francisco Classical Voice

October 22, 2014

John Holiday: A Countertenor Rising Star

Onstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion — Operalia — the international singing competition, is well into the first day of the quarterfinal round. It’s Aug. 25, 2014 and the judges are systematically making notations on their score sheets.

Press Features