PRESS
Photo by Greg Funka
Don Giovanni (Masetto) - Berkshire Opera Festival 2022
“Myer actually sported the highest vocal accomplishment of the entire cast”
-Opera News
Stonewall (Carlos) - New York City Opera 2019
“Myer showed a refined baritone as Carlos.”
-Opera News
“There’s barely any time, for example, to take in Brian James Myer’s buttery baritone voice beyond the passing scene of his character, a Dominican-American teacher named Carlos, getting fired from his Catholic school job for what the principal calls ‘your lifestyle.’”
-The New York Times
“Carlos (Brian James Myer, a baritone to watch out for with a lush voice that never sounded strained, even in the tensest moments) a teacher fired from the Catholic school where he works because ‘think of the kids’ sings a beautiful arioso section about his pleasure in seeing his students figure things out for themselves.”
-Parreterre Box
“There was Carlos, the parochial school teacher richly sung by baritone Brian James Myer, fired for his sexuality, despite his devotion to his students.”
-Broadway World
“Brian James Myer brought a sturdy baritone to the role of Carlos, grieving the loss of his teaching job in a Catholic school because of his ‘lifestyle.’”
-New York Classical Review
Dear Erich (Young Erich) - New York City Opera 2019
“Notable were baritone Brian James Myer, who brought some vocal depth to Young Erich”
Heidi Waleson, Wall Street Journal
“Myer’s younger interpretation of Erich started off with more assertive and aggressive quality, particularly in his confrontation with his father. Throughout this scene Myer’s voice had brilliant resonance that encapsulated his youthful drive. But as his guilt grew, his voice softened overall, taking on a gentler quality, though with the occasional aggressive outburst. You could feel the arc of the character growing weaker and weaker throughout, dovetailing nicely with the version of Old Erich that we come to know.”
David Salazar, Operawire
Roméo et Juliette (Mercutio) - Hawaii Opera Theatre 2018
“As Romeo’s best friend Mercutio, Brian James Myer was the evening’s delightful surprise. He’s a dynamite performer, with a large, vibrant baritone and energetic acting. His ‘Queen Mab’ aria sparkled, and he became the natural focus of every scene he entered.”
Ruth O. Bingham, Honolulu Star Advertiser
La Cenerentola (Dandini) - Opera Las Vegas 2018
"Brian James Myer was an amusing Dandini who tried to pour some sense into Clorinda and Tisbe's fuzz-filled heads. His voice was delightfully resonant and he acted his part with panache."
Maria Nockin, Broadway World
Cinderella [Alma Deutscher] (Minister) - Opera San Jose 2017
"Along with his Minister, played with lively and piquant voice and manner by Brian [James] Myer, the two vie for the fulfillment of their conventional values – heir, station, progeny in the kingdom, with romantic expression of the young couple. Aplomb and theatrical acumen by the two spices the romantic tale with feigned seriousness to delightful gaminess."
Lois Silverstein, Opera Wire
La bohème (Schaunard) - Opera San Jose 2017
"Schaunard can sometimes blend into the garret since he has no solo or duet, but with the wiry, animated Brian James Myer in the part, there was plenty of high-viz stage business, and a richly detailed characterization. Mr. Myer deployed his well-schooled lyric baritone in excellent service to the role, singing with characterful presence."
Jim Sohre, Opera Today
"Brian James Myer’s baritone is a joy to listen to, and he plays the musician Schaunard with a smooth joie de vivre, particularly when relating the demise of the pooped Polly."
Michael J. Vaughn, Operaville
Silent Night (Ponchel) - Opera San Jose 2017
"Among the French forces are the brooding, romantic Lt. Audebert... and his impish and ingratiating orderly, who somehow seems to get all the best lines (though that may have been an illusion fostered by the beautiful, clear-toned singing of baritone Brian James Myer)."
Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
"Ponchel proves to be a perfect vehicle for the considerable talents of Brian James Myer. Handsome, charming, stage savvy, and with a polished baritone to boot, Mr. Myer threatens to steal every scene he is in. Ponchel’s 'big moment' is one of the most touching in all lyric theatre, and Brian mined every ounce of detail and pathos from it."
Jim Sohre, Opera Today
"Brian James Myer exudes appeal as [Ponchel]"
Georgia Rowe, Mercury News
The Barber of Seville (Figaro) - Opera San Jose 2016
"Beginning with baritone Brian James Myer as Figaro, the title character, I have rarely seen an actor of such charisma and agility. Myer’s unwavering charm and energy stole nearly every scene he was in, and with tremendous breath control, projection and clarity of diction, he navigated the octave leaps and challenges of his opening cavatina 'Largo al factotum' with conviction. Never was Myer tiresome or beyond the scope of his multidimensional character."
Elijah Ho, Mercury News
"Brian James Myer delivered a true star turn in the title role. Factotum is too puny a word to describe Mr. Myer’s (dare I say ‘definitive’?) performance. I cannot recall encountering anyone in my many years of seeing this piece who exhibited anywhere near such a total command of the role, the style, the joyous abandon. His arsenal included an effortless stage demeanor, a thoroughly considered subtext, flawless comic timing, and a tirelessly wiry presence.
Brian’s evenly produced, appealing baritone... has plenty of ping and sass, with a warmly ingratiating tone that fills the house."
Jim Sohre, Opera Today