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James KingAmerican opera singer, heldentenor
Date of Birth: 22.05.1925
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of James King
- Transition to Tenor
- Rise to Fame
- Success and International Career
- Recordings
- Later Years and Legacy
Biography of James King
Early Life and EducationJames King was born on May 22, 1925, in Dodge City, Kansas. He studied music at Louisiana State University and earned his Master's degree from Kansas City University in 1952.
Transition to Tenor
Originally starting his singing career as a baritone, King discovered in 1955 that his vocal range was better suited for a tenor. He underwent training and successfully transitioned to a tenor. In 1961, he won the American Opera Auditions in Cincinnati.
Rise to Fame
King made his professional debut as Don José in Bizet's "Carmen" at the San Francisco Opera in 1961. He gained international recognition for his portrayal of Cavaradossi in Puccini's "Tosca" in Florence the same year. From 1962 to 1965, he performed French and Italian repertoire at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1966.
Success and International Career
Over the course of 30 years, James King performed in 113 productions at the Metropolitan Opera. His final role at the Metropolitan Opera was Aegisth in Strauss' "Elektra." He continued to have successful performances with leading opera houses in Europe and America. He was particularly beloved at the Vienna State Opera, where he last performed as Florestan in Beethoven's "Fidelio" in 1997.
Recordings
James King was a prolific recording artist. One of his most famous recordings is Gustav Mahler's symphony-cantata "Das Lied von der Erde," conducted by Leonard Bernstein, with Janet Baker as the mezzo-soprano soloist. He also recorded Wagner's "Die Walküre" with Birgit Nilsson and Hans Hotter under the baton of Sir Georg Solti, as well as excerpts from Puccini's "Tosca" with Anja Silja conducted by Lorin Maazel.
Later Years and Legacy
From 1984 to 2003, King taught at Indiana University. He was married three times and had five children. His last marriage was to Elizabeth Lively. James King passed away on November 20, 2005, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 80, due to a heart attack. His final public performance took place in 2000 at the university, where he sang his signature role of Siegmund.
