Brenden Lengsfeld (he/him) is a countertenor from Calgary, Alberta, with a passion for exploring repertoire that breaks expectations of gender and vocal Fach, challenging what people expect from the countertenor voice. Brenden recently graduated with a Master of Music in Voice and Opera from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, from which he received a Graduate Excellence Fellowship to pursue his studies. There, he studied under the direction of Tracy Smith-Bessette and Martin Dubé. He recently performed the role of Ruggiero in Handel’s Alcina, appeared as a circus performer and gymnast in Menotti’s The Medium, and performed scenes from Rossini’s Tancredi alongside Opera McGill. Previous opera credits include Tirinto in Handel’s Imeneo and Spirit in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Opera McGill), the title role in Handel’s Giulio Cesare (Chicago Summer Opera), and Cupid in Blow’s Venus and Adonis (University of Calgary). He also spent two seasons with the Calgary Opera chorus, appearing in productions including Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Macbeth and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Brenden received grants from Calgary Arts Development to attend the Orfeo Vocal Arts Academy in Dresden, Germany in 2023 and 2025, appearing in summer concert series and working alongside countertenor Alan Dornak. He has appeared in concert with Early Music Voices Calgary, performing works by Handel and Schütz, and has a love for the French art song. An avid gymnast, Brenden loves combining elements of dance, flag work, and acrobatics on stage