Biography

Charles Humphries’ career has paired him with a number of very distinguished conductors and directors including Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Richard Hickox, Paul McCreesh, Robert King, Rinaldo Allessandrini, Nicholas McGegan, James O’Donnell, Trevor Pinnock and Lars Ulrik Mortensen.

He was born in the United Kingdom, graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and was honored with the letters ARAM (Associate Royal Academy of Music) for his services to music. Known for his intelligent interpretations of baroque and renaissance music, he has been one of the most sought after countertenors worldwide for the past twenty years. Performances have taken him to many countries including Greece (Athens), Croatia (Varazdin), Germany (Potsdam, Karlsruhe,) Norway (Oslo), Lithuania (Vilnius) and of course the UK (London - English National Opera). He has made over forty recordings as a soloist as well as a consort singer with all the world’s specialist ensembles. His discography continues to increase.

Appearances have included the National Opera of Lithuania (alto role in JS Bach’s Saint John Passion), a co-production with Le Chatelet, Paris; a debut appearance in Beijing singing the alto solos in Bach’s B Minor mass. In Riga, he sang the solo role in the little known opera Il Guistino by Vivaldi. Other appearances have included the National Philharmonic Concert Hall, Vilnius, Lithuania, in the challenging song cycle by Frank Martin Der Cornet for solo voice and full orchestra, directed by outstanding Lithuanian conductor, Donatus Katkus, solo concerts at the Seychelles International Music Festival and a return visit to the Haapsalu Festival, Estonia, appearing in Handel’s Theodora.

Operatic appearances have included the role of Delfa in Cavalli's Giasone at the Megaron in Athens, the title role of Pompeo in Pompeo Magno at the Varazdin Festival of Baroque Music in Croatia, Lichas in Hercules at the Hans-Otto Theatre, Potsdam, Lucio Silla in Lucio Silla at the Händel Festival Karlsruhe, Tamerlano (Tamerlano), The Sorceress (Dido and Aeneas); Ptolomeo Jephtha with the English National Opera.

Charles left the UK and now resides in Washington DC where his career is already flourishing. This season, he has been engaged for appearances with the Washington Bach Consort (J Reilly Lewis) and The Bach Sinfonia (Dan Abraham). In recital, a number of concerts are planned through the U. S. Department of State featuring a program of “baroque gems”. Overseas, a return appearance is planned in Handel’s Saul at Buxton Opera as well as another engagement with National Opera of Lithuania to perform the music of JS Bach

Mr. Humphries is also in high demand as a vocal coach, teacher and mentor within the Washington area and has been engaged by American University to be music consultant and director in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas along with teaching a course on opera.

Mr. Humphries' discography includes Handel’s Jephtha and Judas Maccabaeus (K & K Verlagsanstalt), Messiah (Capriccio), Vivaldi Cantatas (ASV), Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers, as well as the various Venetian reconstructions with the Gabrieli and King’s Consorts. Archival performances include Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus recorded for Slovenian television, Cavalli’s Pompeo Magna and music by Purcell for Croatian television and Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostra for Lithuanian television. He may be currently heard on the Dorian Sono Luminus label.