countertenor


James M. Brown (they/them) is a Mainer and artist known for diverse repertoire and a “mellifluous voice.” They’ve been regarded by the Portland Press Herald as “a countertenor with a pleasingly warm, powerful tone.” Most recently, James has been seen as the artists Domenico Mustafà and Elmer Akhmetov in the U.S. premiere of Vestergård’s Murder on the Titanic, and as Bradamante in Immersion Repertory Theatre’s workshop of Alcina: Reimagined, which won the support of Opera San Diego’s Opera Hack 3.0 initiative. Operawire has said, “Their voice quality is vibrant and expressive and sometimes otherworldly in its delicate beauty.”

A frequent collaborator in new music, they have premiered several new works, such as Danni Song’s you dreamed of a non-orange tomorrow for the Institute of Contemporary Performance Practice and Nisan Ak’s Singing Bindings in collaboration with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. They performed with the RVA Baroque Ensemble, where “...their experience in opera was parlayed into a period-stylishly affective portrayal of King Louis XIV...” in the premiere of Niccolo Seligmann’s Julie, Monster. This coming season, Mx. Brown will be seen as the mother Dánae in the revival of Bononcini’s Medusa and the Fate Clotho in Crean’s The Harbingers.

Dedicated to regenerative projects and recital curation, James collaborated with fellow artists to produce A Ghost’s Endeavor: A Queer Recital to benefit True Colors United. “The countertenor showed their ability to collaborate effectively, and their performance with colleagues was a strong showing of vocal excellence, technical skill, and emotive interpretation” (Operawire). Following the success of this project, they will be workshopping their next chamber piece, Forgotten In the Books, as the Recital Resident in City Lyric Opera’s 2024–25 season, centering feminist ideals and compositions.

Repertoire highlights include a “menacingly cold” Sorceress in Dido & Aeneas (L'Opéra), a “flamboyantly carefree” Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeareances), and an “irresistible” Old Lady in Candide (Le Devoir). James has been a soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana and Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, and in a staged presentation of Britten's art songs in collaboration with the Montreal Rose Festival. Staples of their concert repertoire include Handel’s Messiah, Hercules, and Britten’s Canticles II & IV. Joined by notable talent in the New England concert scene, they’ve performed with the Portland Rossini Club, the Bay Chamber Concert Series, and the White Mountain Music Festival in works composed by Britten, Bolcom, and Bach.

Mx. Brown holds degrees in Performance & Opera Studies (MMus) from McGill University and Voice Performance (BMus) from the University of Southern Maine. They have been recognized with multiple awards from the Bay Chamber Concert Series, the Rossini Club, and the USM Chamber Music Competition

The Troll Princess Aria from 
East O the Sun, West O the Moon



Rodelinda

Spring 2026


The Church of the Village
201 W 13th St
New York, NY 10011


Village Opera in New York City will present a concert of Handel’s “Rodelinda” in the spring of 2026 .
Maria Brea, Rodelinda
James M Brown, Bertarido  

Messiah


Devember 7, 2025


Lovinger Theater at Lehman College
250 Bedford Park Blvd W
Bronx, NY 10468


On December 7, the Orchestra of the Bronx in New York City will present its annual free presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” featuring the orchestra’s professional musicians, vocal soloists, and the Chorus of the Bronx Opera as well as more than 20 speakers from the community, who will read the “Messiah” text. Led by Orchestra of the Bronx founder and conductor Michael Spierman, the concert at Lovinger Theater at Lehman College will include guest speakers—all with connections to the borough—reading brief passages from the oratorio.

Maine Gesualdo Project: Book 1

November 20, 2025


First Congregational Church of Scarborough
167 Black Point Rd
Scarborough, ME 04074


The Maine Gesualdo Project is a new historically informed music ensemble dedicated to the madrigal books of 16th century composer Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa and Count of Conza. Gesualdo’s work was anything but usual for its time. His chromaticism, noted by one scholar for its ‘tormented, pathological excesses’, was conceived for the ears of performers and listeners. His habitual choice of texts dealing with emotional extremes and torments informed his musical language.
 
Gesualdo’s First Book of Madrigals reveals the young prince at his most passionate and human — weaving love, longing, and light into intricate polyphony. Though rooted in Renaissance grace, these pieces already shimmer with the tension and daring chromaticism that would later define his unmistakable voice. 

Artists include Molly Harmon (soprano), Jenna Guiggey (mezzo-soprano), James M Brown (countertenor), Aaren Rivard (tenor), and Paul Jessen (bass)
My Sweet Rose from Oscar

 Could I Leave You from Follies

King David by Herbert Howells Act I Scene I from L’incoronazione di Poppea