James Morris (bass-baritone)

James Peppler Morris[1] (born 10 January 1947)[2] is a leading American bass-baritone opera singer. He is known for his interpretation of the role of Wotan in Richard Wagner's operatic cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. The Metropolitan Opera video recording of the complete cycle with Morris as Wotan has been described as an "exceptional issue on every count."[3] It was broadcast on PBS in 1990, to the largest viewing audience of the Ring Cycle in human history.

James Morris was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where he studied voice with Rosa Ponselle[2] and at the Peabody Conservatory. He attended the University of Maryland and also studied at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He made his debut with the Baltimore Opera in 1967, as "Crespel" in Jacques Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann, which starred Beverly Sills and Norman Treigle.

He first appeared in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera, in January 1971, as The King in Verdi's Aïda.[2] He went on to establish himself as one of the most versatile male opera singers in the world, performing a repertoire ranging from Mozart through Verdi and Wagner to Benjamin Britten.

But of all the parts he has sung, Wotan arguably remains his signature role. He was considered one of the best Wotans in the world during his heyday. In January 2008, on his 61st birthday, he reprised that role in a production of Die Walküre at the Metropolitan Opera, the theater with which he is most closely associated. In 2009, alongside Deborah Voigt, he also returned there to sing "Scarpia" in Puccini's Tosca.

In addition to his imposing, well-trained voice and fine acting and musicianship, Morris, at 6 feet, 5 inches in height, had the physical stature to perform the heroic Wagnerian roles convincingly. His interpretations can be heard on a number of recordings that were made at the peak of his career. He lives in Warren Township, New Jersey with his wife, mezzo-soprano, Susan Quittmeyer, and their twins, Jennifer and Daniel.[4] He also has a daughter, Heather.[5]

As of August 2015, Morris serves on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.

Awards and notable recordings

References
  1. "Susan Quittmeyer Weds James Morris". The New York Times. 4 January 1987. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  2. Goodwin, Noël (1992). "Morris, James" in Sadie, Stanley, ed. (1992). The new Grove dictionary of opera, 3: 472. London: Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-56159-228-9.
  3. March, Ivan & Alan Livesey, eds., with Edward Greenfield, Robert Layton, and Paul Czajkowski (2007). The Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music, Completely Revised 2008 Edition, pp. ix, 1529. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-103336-5.
  4. Kelly, Denis J. "World-class singer charms audience, wins two encores at benefit for Warren Public Schools", Echoes-Sentinel, March 6, 2009. Accessed October 21, 2015. "Acclaimed Metropolitan opera star James Morris, who lives in Warren Township, charmed an audience of more than 250 on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the performing arts center at Watchung Hills Regional High School."
  5. "The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio on June 25, 2009 · Page 22". Retrieved 14 January 2017.
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