Singing career
James was born in Berwickshire in Scotland. His early career began as a chorister and soloist at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and he then went on to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he graduated with Diplomas in Performing and Teaching. On completion of his studies there he won the Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarship which allowed him to continue his studies with the celebrated teacher, Maestro Ettore Campogalliani, in Mantua, Italy, whose early pupils included Renata Tebaldi, Renata Scotto, Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti.
Returning to England, he joined Glyndebourne Festival and Touring Opera and while there he sang in numerous productions, including principal roles in Fidelio, 'Arbace' in Idomineo, and 'Max' in Der Freischutz.
Throughout James' career he sang roles with most of the major British opera companies performing many roles in the tenor repertoire, including:
Rodolfo in La Boheme
Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly
Radames in Aida
Don Jose in Carmen
Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni
Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte
Alfredo in La Traviata
Belmonte in Il Seraglio
James made his principal debut at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 'Arabella' in 1990 and during the next 15 years sang extensively with many international companies.
James has performed in many major venues as a concert and oratorio singer - London's South Bank, Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms) and in Canterbury, Lincoln and Lichfield Cathedrals.
Concert and opera engagements have taken him as far afield as Europe, USA, Mauritius, Zimbabwe (British Council) and the Middle and Far East.
James regularly writes concert reviews for local newspapers.
He was recently invited to be an external examiner for the final degree examinations at the Music School of the University of Kristiansand in Norway and has judged competitors in singing competitions at the Royal College of Music.
Returning to England, he joined Glyndebourne Festival and Touring Opera and while there he sang in numerous productions, including principal roles in Fidelio, 'Arbace' in Idomineo, and 'Max' in Der Freischutz.
Throughout James' career he sang roles with most of the major British opera companies performing many roles in the tenor repertoire, including:
Rodolfo in La Boheme
Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly
Radames in Aida
Don Jose in Carmen
Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni
Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte
Alfredo in La Traviata
Belmonte in Il Seraglio
James made his principal debut at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 'Arabella' in 1990 and during the next 15 years sang extensively with many international companies.
James has performed in many major venues as a concert and oratorio singer - London's South Bank, Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms) and in Canterbury, Lincoln and Lichfield Cathedrals.
Concert and opera engagements have taken him as far afield as Europe, USA, Mauritius, Zimbabwe (British Council) and the Middle and Far East.
James regularly writes concert reviews for local newspapers.
He was recently invited to be an external examiner for the final degree examinations at the Music School of the University of Kristiansand in Norway and has judged competitors in singing competitions at the Royal College of Music.
