About
Known for his mastery of a broad repertoire that extends from Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, and Berg to Bach, Handel, and Beethoven, James Courtney leads a very active life as as solo vocal artist. Appearing with many of the world’s leading opera companies and symphony orchestras, James has collaborated with such conductors as James Levine, SeijiOzawa, Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel and Mstislav Rostropovich.
Highlights among his 36 consecutive seasons with the Metropolitan Opera Company include Lulu, Wozzeck, Salome, Die Meistersinger, and Flying Duchman. Mr. Courtney has also appeared with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, L’Opera de Montreal, San Francisco Opera, and Seattle Opera. A native of California, James studied at the Eastman School of Music and made his professional debut with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in 1971.