José Lemos

 

Brazilian countertenor José Lemos is noted worldwide for his unique artistry in opera and concert. Of a performance as Giulio Cesare with Boston Baroque, the Boston Globe said, "...Lemos sang with a big, colorful, sexy tone and almost recklessly brilliant coloratura." Of a concert performance of Stefano Landi's Il Sant'Alessio at the Barbican Hall in London, the London Times says, "José Lemos, as Alessio's father's page, chewed up the stage with 17th-century 'Comedy.'" As well, the Seattle Times exclaimed, "José Lemos is stellar as the idealistic Ottone", noting his performance with the Seattle Early Music Guild's production of Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea.

Mr. Lemos made his U.S. opera debut at The Tanglewood Music Festival in Robert Zuidam's Rage D'Amours, and returned for their 2004 production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream as Oberon. Mr. Lemos is the First Prize winner and the Audience Prize winner of the 2003 International Baroque Singing Competition of Chimay, Belgium.

Some highlights of previous seasons include his debut as Ottone in Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea with the Seattle Early Music Guild, the role of Tolomeo in Handel's Giulio Cesare at the Göttingen Handel Festival in Germany, Silène in the latest production of Lully's Psyche with the Boston Early Music Festival. He also performed the role of Martio in Stefano Landi's Il Sant'Alessio with William Christie's Les Arts Florissants in the Barbican Hall in London, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, Opera National de Lorraine, Theatre de Caen, Grand Theatre de la Ville de Luxembourg, and Theatre des Champs-Elysee in Paris, France.

Mr. Lemos is the main guest artist with the renowned Baltimore Consort, with whom he tours the United States in concert and educational outreach. A versatile performer, he charms audiences in recitals with his exuberant renditions of native Brazilian songs, and delves deeply into the medieval and renaissance repertory in his performances with Quartetto Brio. Both the Baltimore Consort and Quartetto Brio have recorded on the Dorian Label, Brio has released "Romance," featuring the exotic music of the Sephardic Jews.