Jeffrey Mandelbaum is fast becoming known for his powerful and elegant countertenor voice, and for his dynamic stage presence. Especially recognized for his affecting interpretations of the operas and oratorios of Handel, he debuted with Virginia Opera as Narciso in AGRIPPINA, and was dubbed a “first-class countertenor” by the Washington Post.

Mr. Mandelbaum recently covered the title role in Handel’s FLAVIO with New York City Opera, where he was also engaged for IL RITORNO D’ULISSE and HANSEL AND GRETEL. He appeared as Ottone in THE CORONATION OF POPPEA with Opera Omnia for the company’s inaugural production at Le Poisson Rouge in New York’s Greenwich Village. Of this performance, critic Allan Kozinn states in the New York Times, “Jeffrey Mandelbaum gave an appealingly sensitive portrayal of Ottone.”

Opera highlights have included the title role in GIULIO CESARE with the One World Symphony; Tolomeo in GIULIO CESARE with Connecticut Opera Theater; the title role in Gluck’s ORFEO ED EURIDICE with the One World Symphony and with West Side Opera; the title role in Handel’s CHOICE OF HERCULES with Big Apple Baroque; and a tour of the medieval opera DANIEL AND THE LIONS with Early Music New York.

Recent concert work includes MESSIAH with the Allentown Symphony, the Norwalk Symphony, the American Classical Orchestra, and the Westchester Oratorio Society; Orff’s CARMINA BURANA with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, the Connecticut Master Chorale, and Cappella Cantorum; Bach’s CHRISTMAS ORATORIO at New York City’s Church of Saint Ignatius of Antioch; Bach’s MAGNIFICAT for the Vermont Mozart Festival; Handel’s ESTHER with the Canterbury Choral Society; and JUDAS MACCABEUS with the Amor Artis Baroque Orchestra. Mr. Mandelbaum has performed Bach cantatas with the Orchestra of Saint Luke’s. He portrayed Mars in LA PÚRPURA DE LA ROSA for the Amherst Early Music Festival, and sang Bach’s alto cantata GEIST UND SEELE with the baroque orchestra Musica Viva.

In addition to his work in the baroque field, he is also known for his performances of contemporary music, including his recent debut with Opera Pacific in CYRANO DE BERGERAC. He appeared with the Spoleto Festival USA in Meredith Monk’s QUARRY; in Bernstein’s CHICHESTER PSALMS with the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut; as Mulholland in Hause’s MAN: BIOLOGY OF A FALL at New York City’s Kumble Theater; and was engaged for Philip Glass’s GALILEO GALILEI at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He starred in two productions of George Quincey’s HOME AND THE RIVER with Encompass New Opera Theatre, where he also premiered Quincey's TALE OF A TELL-TALE HEART, in which the leading role was written specifically for him.

As a recitalist, Mr. Mandelbaum has performed at New York’s Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, at Saint Paul’s Chapel for New York’s Trinity Church NoonDay Concert Series, at Saint Peter’s Church, for Midtown Concerts at Saint Francis of Assisi, at Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, at Saint Ann’s, and on tour in Tuscany.

Mr. Mandelbaum is a winner of the 2003 Metropolitan Opera Competition, New York Districts. He received a B.A. with Honors in Interdisciplinary Performance from Oberlin College, and a Master of Music degree in Historical Performance-Voice from the Mannes College of Music. He has coached in baroque style with Drew Minter and Julianne Baird, and continues his studies of vocal technique and artistry with Linda Monssen.