Judith James, voice
Judith James has had a remarkably active and versatile
performing career. Her operatic performances include leading roles with the New
York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, Asolo Opera, Aspen Music Festival, The
Wolf Trap Center and The Manhattan Theatre Club. Susanna (Figaro), Mimi (Boheme),
Pamina (Magic Flute), Susannah (Susannah), Micaela (Carmen), Electra (Idomeneo)
and Laurie (Copland's The Tender Land)-with the composer-are representative of
the 24 major roles she has performed, under such luminaries as Julius Rudel and
Christopher Keene. In the New York revival of Ned Rorem's Miss Julie, Ms. James
both performed and recorded the title role. She performed as soloist with the
Accademia Monteverdiana under Denis Stevens in Alice Tully Hall and on tour.
She soloed with orchestras and in oratorios, and concerts that she gave in New
York were broadcast live on both television and radio.
In October, Miss James, Ed Reichert and two guest artists opened the faculty
concert series with “3 Divas in Concert” - a tenth anniversary celebration of
their first concert together at the Portland Art Museum. In her several diva
concerts and in many solo venues, Miss James has specialized in the music of
Kurt Weill. Her sold-out concert in the 2002 faculty concert series was given
an encore performance on 2/26/04. Her Kurt Weill at the NATS New England
Regional Conference in 8/01 was highly acclaimed, as were performances in New
York, Florida, the Round Top (ME) and Firehouse Centers (NH) for the Arts, and
at the Atrium (ME)
Ms. James has had an active private studio since 1984, and taught graduate
courses at The Ohio State University. She was governor of Maine NATS from 1995
-2000.
From Opera News reviews:
" The cast sang splendidly with Judith James' Mimi exhibiting superior vocal
finesse and stage sense" {La Boheme]
"James (was) so compelling that the short but gripping performance will remain
in the memory long after other seasons come and go."
[Judith, Bluebeard’s Castle]
“The performance was intense, various and well sustained. Miss James’
concentration was contagious.” [The Human Voice]
“... James was successful in negotiating the difficult roller-coaster tessitura,
especially in the upper reaches of her voice where it gleams" {Miss Julie}
From The New York Times and The Washington Post:
"Miss James made a success of Micaela, playing the role with quiet strength and
singing her aria in Act III with cool, silvery tonal purity"
"James not only sings well, but also turns in the most compellingly detailed
acting performance."
About her Kurt Weill:
"...James' dramatic delivery was spell-binding. She breathes Weill through her
pores, and we are kept breathtakingly aware of the excitement, the denial, the
challenge, and the anger."
Contact:
Judith James
University of Southern Maine School
of Music
37 College Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038
207-780-5265
music@usm.maine.edu
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09292004