White Rabbit: Alice in Wonderland / Opera Holland Park 2026
“…a brilliant James Cleverton.”
Music OMH
“The translation to the main stage favours those with good diction, with James Cleverton’s nervy White Rabbit and Robert Burt’s domineering Red Queen outstanding.:
The Telegraph
Sir Tommy Crawshaw: The Railway Children / Glyndebourne 2025
“James Cleverton’s Tommy Crawshaw had warm-toned gravitas.”
Bachtrack
“James Cleverton lends authority to deus ex machina Sir Tommy Crawshaw…”
The Guardian
“James Cleverton brings a certain swagger to Sir Tommy Crawshaw…”
Opera Today
“James Cleverton brings personality to ex-footballer hero Sir Tommy Crawshaw…”
The Stage
“Sir Tommy Crawshaw, depicted with a Lineker-like swagger by James Cleverton.”
The Telegraph
Angelotti: Tosca / Welsh National Opera 2025
“James Cleverton stood out as the luckless fugitive Angelotti.”
Bachtrack
Gualtiero: Edgar / Opera Holland Park 2025
“James Cleverton is quietly resolute as Gualtiero.”
Classical Source
“James Cleverton’s Gualtiero was a steadying influence.”
Opera
“James Cleverton was a strong Gualtiero.”
Seen and Heard International
Foreman: Jenůfa / Royal Opera, London, 2025
“There were no weak links in the supporting cast either, with particularly vivid cameos from James Cleverton (Foreman), Jonathan Lemalu (Mayor) and Marie McLaughlin (Mayor’s Wife).
Music OMH
Mathieu: Andrea Chénier / Royal Opera, London, 2024
“There is no shortage of immediacy in the supporting roles that bring the action to quasi-cinematic life: James Cleverton’s sparky Mathieu…”
Opera Today
Johann: Werther / Royal Opera, London, 2023
“The roguish Johann and Schmidt were well animated by James Cleverton and Christophe Mortagne.”
Bachtrack
“Johann and Schmidt were characterfully etched by James Cleverton and Christophe Mortagne.”
Opera
“James Cleverton was an excellent Johann.”
Seen and Heard International
“The jovial duo of Johann (James Cleverton) and Schmidt (Christophe Mortagne) is well projected.”
The Telegraph
Baron Douphol: La traviata / Opera North 2022
“There were very strong cameos from the various ‘hangers-on’, with particularly vivid interpretations from Gavan Ring’s Vicomte and James Cleverton’s Baron.”
Music OMH
Conor Mitchell: Look Both Ways / Psappha at Cheltenham Festival 2022
With tenor and baritone soloists – the excellent Ed Lyon and James Cleverton – supported by a piano trio, Mitchell’s touching, clever song cycle is careful to underline the difference in tone between the two correspondents.”
The Guardian
Astolfo: Alcina / Glyndebourne 2022
“James Cleverton is a fine Astolfo.”
Seen and Heard International
Mr Kallenbach: Satyagraha / English National Opera 2021
“James Cleverton was unflagging in tackling the relentless high notes of Mr Kallenbach.”
OperaWire
“…very fine support across a team cast including (ia) James Cleverton as Mr Kallenbach, individuality subordinated to the overall story: this is a great ensemble performance.”
The Telegraph
Dr Bartolo: Le nozze di Figaro / Opera Holland Park 2021
“Victoria Simmonds (Marcellina), James Cleverton (Bartolo) and Daniel Norman (Basilio) made a characterful trio of schemers.”
Opera
“Victoria Simmonds and James Cleverton ensured that Marcellina and Bartolo were more than stock buffo characters. As ever, the angel as well as the devil lies in the detail.”
Opera Today
