Period

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Romantic

 

James King was an American tenor who was born on May 22, 1925, in Dodge City, Kansas. He was the youngest of eight children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church choir director, and his mother was a pianist. King's love for music began at an early age, and he started singing in his father's choir when he was just six years old. King's family moved to Portland, Oregon, when he was a teenager, and he continued to sing in church choirs and local productions. He joined the United States Navy during World War II and served as a radio operator. After the war, he attended the University of Oregon, where he studied music and sang in the university choir. King's professional career began in 1954 when he joined the chorus of the Portland Opera Company. He made his debut as a soloist with the company in 1957, singing the role of the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's Rigoletto. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented tenor and was invited to perform with opera companies across the United States. In 1961, King made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, singing the role of Don Jose in Bizet's Carmen. He went on to perform at the Met for 25 seasons, singing a wide range of roles, including Radames in Verdi's Aida, Canio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, and the title role in Wagner's Parsifal. King was known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was particularly admired for his performances of Wagner's music, which he sang with great passion and intensity. He also had a successful concert career, performing with orchestras around the world. Throughout his career, King received numerous awards and honors. In 1962, he was awarded the Richard Tucker Award, which is given annually to an American singer who shows great promise in the field of opera. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1995, which is the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. King retired from performing in 1993 but continued to teach and mentor young singers. He was a professor of voice at the University of Texas at Austin and also taught at the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland. He passed away on March 20, 2005, at the age of 79. James King was a beloved figure in the world of classical music, known for his powerful voice and his passionate performances. He was a true artist who dedicated his life to his craft, and his legacy continues to inspire singers and music lovers around the world.

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