BERNARD HOLCOMB
TENOR
BIOGRAPHY
Tenor Bernard Holcomb has “already made a name for himself in the world of opera” with his “delicate and flexible” voice (Opera Wire) and the “appealing sweetness and clarity [of] his tone” (New York Times). Katy Walsh of Chicago Theater Beat said it best: “Although everyone [at Lyric Opera of Chicago] can sing, Holcomb reminds us why we come to the Lyric.”
This season, Mr. Holcomb makes his Metropolitan Opera debut in Terence Blanchard’s Champion, and his house debut at Opera Omaha in X, the Life and Times of Malcolm X. In addition, Holcomb will perform with On Site Opera as Harlekin in Der Kaiser von Atlantis, and take part in the workshop for The Pigeon Keeper, a new commission from Santa Fe Opera. In concert, Bernard performs Mendelssohn’s Elijah with Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Hailstork’s A Knee on the Neck with New York Choral Society, a holiday concert with the Cincinnati Pops under the baton of Mo. John Morris Russel, and as soloist in Jacksonville Symphony’s concert Lush Life: Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. In January 2023, Holcomb returns to Damien Geter’s An African American Requiem with Fort Worth Opera, after having appeared in its world premiere in the 21-22 season. [read more...]
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"...endearing presence on stage..." – Theater Jones
Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown – “Bernard Holcomb is an affectionate and conscious steward of the material. He’s an endearing presence on stage, with a control that must stem from his operatic background. With a bright rounded lyric baritone, he finesses James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (a number that also includes a positively sensual tenor sax solo) and provides the evening’s emotional highlight with a lovely interpretation of “Song for You,” as performed by Donny Hathaway.”
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"...warm tenor voice imbued [...] quiet dignity and down-to-earth humanity.”" – LA Times
The Love Potion – “The solid cast was led by Bernard Holcomb, whose warm tenor voice imbued the tormented Tristan with quiet dignity and down-to-earth humanity.”
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"...appealing sweetness and clarity to his tone...” – New York Times
Otello – “…there was an appealing sweetness and clarity to his tone…In the course of the evening his voice gained vibrancy and intensity, matching his character’s descent into manipulated madness.”
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"...open, vibrant instrument..." – Cadenza
Owen Wingrave – "...as Lechmere, tenor Bernard Holcomb is given a lot to do with his open, vibrant instrument.
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"... the pleasure he draws from his art is always bracing." – New City Stage
The Emperor of Atlantis & The Clever One – “Joy bounces off tenor Bernard Holcomb like a skylight beacon accidentally aimed at an individual instead of a cloud, and even when playing a sad moment, the pleasure he draws from his art is always bracing”