Biography

With over 40 operatic roles to his credit, baritone Christopher Holmes has been featured by companies such as Austin Lyric Opera, Central City Opera, Eugene Opera, Opera Idaho, Phoenix Opera, Juneau Lyric Opera, and San Antonio Opera.

A "powerful, melodious baritone" with "soul and passion" is a small sample of enthusiastic reviews being received by Holmes. As a full-lyric baritone, Holmes is beginning to make his mark in the Verdi repertoire. As IAGO with Winter Opera St. Louis critics commented, Holmes sings Iago "with clarity and power, and with a skilled actor's ability to convey mood and character" and with "control and subtlety." As RIGOLETTO at St. Petersburg Opera a critic indicates that Holmes "had me crying at points-- an incredibly beautiful lyric baritone with a very clear understanding of who this humiliated and terribly wronged man is." His GERMONT was praised as "with crystal clear enunciation, truly polished, controlled, professional and superb."

Activities in 2023 have included RENATO (Un ballo in maschera) at Opera Project Columbus, DON GIOVANNI at Painted Sky Opera, ESCAMILLO at Western Plains Opera, BASS SOLOIST and PILATE (St. John Passion) and Vaughan Wiliams' Hodie with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra.

Christopher developed a love for the Italian people and culture having lived in the central area of Italy for two years. Major influences on his teaching philosophy come from renowned author, pedagogue, and tenor Richard Miller with whom he studied at Oberlin, and Italian coach/conductor Nicolas Giusti with whom he works and collaborates frequently.