James Myers Baritone, Actor, Voice Teacher
Photo: James sings the role of Nemorino in L'elisir D'amore
James Myers' early work as a tenor
James Myers now sings predominantly as a professional baritone but he began his singing career as a tenor. James sang exclusively as a lyric tenor during his college, grad school and early professional years. Below are video and audio samples of his past work as a tenor.
O soave fanciulla from La boheme by puccini
James sings the tenor role of Rodolpho in this classic Italian opera duet. He sings an incredibly powerful full voice high A flat at the 38 second mark in the video. This is followed shortly by 2 high A naturals. In this duet, Rodolpho sings of his love to Mimi at the close of Act 1. James sang this challenging duet when he was only 20 years old.
E la solita storia del pastore from l'artesiana by cilea
James sings this classic Italian Tenor aria for his graduate voice recital. The aria features 2 high A naturals and 1 high B natural at the very end.
De miei bollenti spiriti from La Traviata by Verdi
James sings this celebrated Italian Tenor aria for his undergraduate voice recital. The aria features several sustained high A flats and high G's. This aria is the opening of Act 2 of the Opera when Alfredo sings about his contentment living with his love Violetta in the countryside.
Outside this house from vanessa by samuel barber
James sings this 20th Century Tenor Aria from the American Opera, Vanessa. While James' voice has darkened and grown in size since this recording was made, this performance shows James making great use of soft mezza voce style of singing. He sang this for his undergraduate voice recital.
Gentle airs melodious strains from athalia by handel
James sings this English oratorio aria by Handel. He performed this as part of his graduate voice recital.
Duet: Remember that I care from Street scene by Kurt Weill
James Myers sings the lead tenor role of Sam Kaplan in the American Opera, Street Scene. In this challenging duet, James sings many high notes culminating in a powerful, sustained high A natural for 7 seconds at the 5 minute 6 second mark of the video. James performed this during his senior year of college at age 21. His character, Sam, gets to know his neighbor Rose and begins to explore a romantic connection.
Lonely House from street scene by kurt weill
James sings this Tenor Aria when he played the lead role of Sam Kaplan in Street Scene during his Senior Year of College. He sings a powerful high A flat at 2 minutes 24 seconds followed by a pianissimo high B flat at 2 minutes 43 seconds. In this scene the character, Sam, reflects on his feelings of loneliness in such a large city as New York.
Don't Forget the lilac bush from Street Scene by kurt weill
James sings the lead tenor role of Sam in this challenging duet which concludes the opera. He sings a series of sustained high A flats around the 1 minute 21 second mark. In this heartbreaking scene, Sam tries to convince his love Rose to stay with him. James performed this during his Senior year of college. This video also showcases James' acting skill.
The Woman who lived up there from the opera, street scene
James sings the solo tenor part in this powerful ensemble number from the American opera, Street Scene by Kurt Weill. His character, Sam, comforts the woman he loves after her Mother is tragically shot and killed by her own Father. In addition to some high tenor singing, this video showcases James' acting skills. He sang this role as a senior in college.
Duet: We'll Go away together from the opera, street scene
James sings the lead tenor role of Sam in this romantic duet from the American opera, Street Scene by Kurt Weill. James' character, Sam, contemplates running away from New York City with his neighbor and love, Rose. James played this role during his senior year of college.
Lonely House from Street Scene, performed in Germany
James sings the tenor aria, "Lonely House" from the American opera, Street Scene, in English while performing in Germany. James performed this aria with the Mittelsachsiches Theater Orchestra. Intro in German. Music begins at the 35 second mark in the video. He sings a powerful high A flat at 3 minutes 28 seconds followed by a soft high B flat at 3 minutes 47 seconds. His character, Sam, reflects on the irony of his loneliness in crowded New York City
Bredon Hill from On Wenlock Edge by Ralph Vaughan Williams
James sings this haunting english art song. This is the 5th song of 6 from the song cycle, On Wenlock Edge. James sings with a full piano quintet. The music is haunting and the lyrics are evocative. It is one of James' favorite pieces. The song has many interpretations. For James, he imagines the protagonist of this song experiencing life with his love as idyllic until a mysterious tragedy occurs.
From Far From eve and morning from on wedlock edge
James sings the song, "From Far From Eve and Morning" from the song cycle, On Wenlock Edge by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This is song number 2 of 6 in the cycle. This song cycle represents one of James' favourite pieces of music. James performed this with a full piano quintet as part of his Senior voice recital during his undergraduate studies at university. The music is haunting and the lyrics, evocative.
You Raise Me up, featuring a full voice high b flat
James sings the popular song, "You Raise Me Up". This song was made popular by recording artist, Josh Groban. James recorded this in the recording studio. He had the benefit of multiple takes/tries in the studio and as a result, this probably represents the peak of his high tenor singing in full voice. He sings a full voice high B flat around the 3 minute mark of the recording. He sings numerous A flats throughout the rest of the song
Love to me from the light in the piazza by adam guettel
James sings the song, "Love To Me" from the musical, The Light in the Piazza by Adam Guettel. James sings the tenor role of Fabrizio, a young Italian man who falls in love with an American tourist who is visiting his hometown of Florence, Italy. The lyrics are purposefully set in an idiomatic style, to reflect Fabrizio's stumbling attempt at speaking in English which is a language with which he struggles. Despite this challenge, he attempts to communicate his love to the American, Clara.
A Chloris by Reynaldo Hahn
James sings the exquisite French art song, "A Chloris" by composer, Reynaldo Hahn. James performed this art song as part of his Senior voice recital during his undergraduate years at university.
Damask Roses by Roger Quilter
James sings this short but beautiful English art song by composer Roger Quilter. James performed this as part of his Graduate voice recital. Elsewhere on this website, there is another video of James performing this same song year later in the baritone key.
Autumn Evening by Roger Quilter
James sings this haunting English art song by composer Roger Quilter. James performed this as part of his Graduate voice recital. Elsewhere on this website, there is another video of James performing this same song years later in the baritone key.
The Music of the night from the phantom of the opera
James performs the iconic song, "The Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. James performed this song when he was only 18 years old. James sings two high A flats. At this young age, he sang these high A flats with a very soft mezzo voice, but in years to come he would go on to sing the A flat with a strong and clear full voice. Keep an eye out for an updated recording of this classic song in the near future!