Lee, James - Tenor

 

The second is Dick Johnson/Ramerrez, a role that the South Korean tenor James Lee imbues with – one senses – a great deal of authority. He seems to master the dramatic, the heartfelt, the intense, and pure bel canto. He completes the trio that is the focal point in The Girl of the West. A constellation without which nothing would work.

 

 

...But the all-Korean cast was overall the better one, as the tenor James Lee, who is well-known and frequently heard in Germany and Austria, sang a major German role for the very first time in the performance attended by the reviewer, and he left nothing to be desired in his portrayal of Paul. He sang this demanding role with almost no issues in terms of stamina and, as far as possible with this type of music, with great clarity of text. His voice, more trained in the Italian style, allowed him to effortlessly project in the not-so-small auditorium of the Opera House at the Seoul Arts Center. Further engagements with this role will likely make him a potential representative of this role in the coming years.

 

 

 

I heard again the tenor James Lee, who debuted in the role of Calaf from the last Puccini opera, in a concert on the Bucharest stage 12 years ago. In June 2024, he performed the arias Nessun dorma (Turandot), Donna non vidi mai (Manon Lescaut), and E lucevan le stelle from Tosca, from which he also chose the first duet with the titular heroine, here soprano Lee Myung-joo. James Lee is the authentic type of spinto tenor with dramatic touches, sound homogeneity and robustness, phrase shaping (the aria from Tosca), and fabulous high notes (first a B-flat in the duet, then the glorious final Vincerò from Turandot, which shook the hall).

 

 

 

James Lee portrays Cavaradossi as a bohemian who isn't particularly committed to fidelity but needs a strong woman like Tosca. The South Korean tenor Lee is a revelation in this role. Many opera houses dream of a Cavaradossi with such a substantial tenor — rich with sensual warmth, radiant high notes, and a voice that combines power with suppleness. His first aria already received enthusiastic applause. The dark timbre of Lee's voice blends wonderfully with Inga Kalna's soprano, which is powerful yet never harsh, with great depth and a beautifully dark hue.

 

James Lee already demonstrates his tenor abilities in his brief entrance aria Recondita armonia, effortlessly and without forcing, his voice carries over the orchestra. ... Lee also captivates with the bravura aria E lucevan le stelle, delivering it with tenor brilliance and driving the audience wild. Together with Kalna, he shapes the duet dreaming of a happy future in an absolutely moving way before he becomes a victim of the intrigue.

 

The theater deserves congratulations for the casting of the three main characters. James Lee, a member of the theater's ensemble, impresses from the very first aria. The tenor effortlessly adds just the right amount of emotion to his powerful voice. Vocally, Lee harmonizes wonderfully with Gabriele Scherer, who is making her Tosca debut in Dortmund that evening. Their duets are an absolute listening delight. Lee clearly rises as the star of the first act.