James Morris

Composers

Biography

Born: January 10, 1947  
Morris has become the most noted Wotan of the turn of the century, known for his acting as well as a musical approach that emphasizes the legato, even lyrical parts of the role. His voice has a strong upper extension that allows him to tackle such baritone roles and Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca and Mozart's Don Giovanni to critical acclaim.

Appropriately enough, his two main teachers were a baritone and a bass. Morris, a native of Read more Baltimore, first studied with Forrest Barrett, and then won the first voice scholarship that the University of Maryland offered. However, at the advice of his mentor (and distant in-law), Rosa Ponselle, who recognized his potential but did not think that she herself would be the best teacher for him, he instead enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory, and continued his studies with Frank Valentino there. After some time there, he continued his studies at the Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts with Nicola Moscona.

He first performed on stage with the Baltimore Civic Opera Company, and advanced in 1967 to the Baltimore Opera, making his debut there as Crespel in Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann. In 1970, he had his first Metropolitan Opera audition, though he turned down the subsequent offer to join their Opera Studio. Moscona, who himself had had a long Met career, persuaded the management to re-audition Morris for the regular company, and this time he was offered a contract for 1971, and he made his debut as the King in Verdi's Aida. He made his Glyndebourne Festival debut as Banquo in Verdi's Macbeth.

In 1976, again at the Baltimore Opera, he created the role of King Alfonso in Pasatieri's Ines de Castro. He began to study Wagnerian roles, first Wotan in Die Walküre and the Dutchman, and made his Vienna State Opera debut as Wotan in 1984. In 1985, he took on the role of Wotan for the entire Ring cycle in San Francisco, to great acclaim, and followed that success in many other productions worldwide.

He recorded the complete Ring cycle with James Levine on DG (445 354), and an aria recital disc on EMI (49287) gives selections from Verdi as well as two selections from The Flying Dutchman and Die Walküre. Read less

Featured James Morris CDs & DVDs:

Wagner: Das Rheingold / Levine, Morris, Ludwig, Jerusalem
Wagner: Das Rheingold / Levine, Morris, Ludwig, Jerusalem
Release Date: 11/12/2002   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 073036   Number of Discs: 1
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Wagner: Siegfried / Levine, Jerusalem, Zednik, Morris
Wagner: Siegfried / Levine, Jerusalem, Zednik, Morris
Release Date: 11/12/2002   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 073037  
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Verdi: Otello / Levine, Domingo, Fleming, Morris
Verdi: Otello / Levine, Domingo, Fleming, Morris
Release Date: 04/13/2004   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 000210709   Number of Discs: 1
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Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Levine, Heppner, Mattila, Morris, et al
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Levine, Heppner, Mattila, Morris, et al
Release Date: 01/11/2005   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 000345509  
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Metropolitan Opera Gala - James Levine's 25th Anniversary
Metropolitan Opera Gala - James Levine's 25th Anniversary
Release Date: 11/22/2005   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 000460209  
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Browse 26-50 of 85 Available Recordings
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  • 26.
    Thomas: Hamlet / Bonynge, Sutherland, Milnes, Morris
    Thomas: Hamlet / Bonynge, Sutherland, Milnes, Morris
    Label: London/Decca Grand Opera Series   Catalog: 433857 Release Date: 09/21/2009   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Ambroise Thomas
    Performer:  Peyo Garazzi,  Arwel Huw Morgan,  John Tomlinson,  Keith Lewis  ... 
    Conductor:  Richard Bonynge
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Welsh National Opera Orchestra,  Welsh National Opera Chorus
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  • 27.
    Mahler: Symphony no 8, Adagio from Symphony no 10 / Thomas
    Mahler: Symphony no 8, Adagio from Symphony no 10 / Thomas
    Label: San Francisco Symphony   Catalog: 60021 Release Date: 08/25/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Gustav Mahler
    Performer:  James Morris,  Yvonne Naef,  Quinn Kelsey,  Erin Wall  ... 
    Conductor:  Michael Tilson Thomas
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  • 28.
    Wagner: Siegfried / Haitink, Jerusalem, Marton, Morris
    Wagner: Siegfried / Haitink, Jerusalem, Marton, Morris
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 54290 Release Date: 08/07/2009   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Jadwiga Rappé,  Siegfried Jerusalem,  Peter Haage,  James Morris  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
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  • 29.
    Wagner: Die Walkure Highlights / Haitink, Marton, Morris
    Wagner: Die Walkure Highlights / Haitink, Marton, Morris
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 54328 Release Date: 07/22/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eva Martón,  James Morris,  Carolyn Watkinson,  Margarita Lilowa  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
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  • 30.
    Mozart At The Salzburg Festival - Die Zauberflote, Cosi Fan Tutte, La Clemenza Di Tito
    Mozart At The Salzburg Festival - Die Zauberflote, Cosi Fan Tutte, La Clemenza Di Tito
    Label: Tdk   Catalog: 5 Release Date: 05/26/2009   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Ann Murray,  James Morris,  Margaret Marshall,  Kathleen Battle  ... 
    Conductor:  Riccardo Muti,  James Levine,  Nikolaus Harnoncourt
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Chorus Konzertvereinigung,  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 31.
    Verdi: Macbeth / Sinopoli, Bruson, Zampieri
    Verdi: Macbeth / Sinopoli, Bruson, Zampieri
    Label: Kultur Video   Catalog: 48 Release Date: 03/31/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  David Griffith,  James Morris,  Mara Zampieri,  Renato Bruson  ... 
    Conductor:  Giuseppe Sinopoli
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Deutsche Oper Chorus,  Berlin Deutsche Oper Orchestra
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  • 32.
    Wagner: Der Fliegende Hollander / Levine, Voigt, Heppner, Morris
    Wagner: Der Fliegende Hollander / Levine, Voigt, Heppner, Morris
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 7448222 Release Date: 03/03/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Jan-Hendrik Rootering,  Deborah Voigt,  James Morris,  Ben Heppner  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
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  • 33.
    Bellini: Norma Act 1 / Monserrat Caballe
    Bellini: Norma Act 1 / Monserrat Caballe
    Label: Video Artists International   Catalog: 4465 Release Date: 01/27/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jules Massenet,  Manuel Nieto,  Ruperto Chapí (y Lorente),  Antonio Vivaldi  ... 
    Performer:  Miguel Zanetti,  Montserrat Caballé,  James Morris,  Margreta Elkins  ... 
    Conductor:  Enrique Garcia-Asensio
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Spanish Radio/TV Chorus,  Spanish Radio/TV Orchestra
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  • 34.
    Wagner: The Ring (Highlights) / Haitink, Bavarian Rso, Et Al
    Wagner: The Ring (Highlights) / Haitink, Bavarian Rso, Et Al
    Label: Emi Classics For Pleasure   Catalog: 28377 Release Date: 10/28/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eva Martón,  Johannes Ritzkowsky,  Siegfried Jerusalem,  Dame Kiri Te Kanawa  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
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  • 35.
    Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen / Haitink, Morris, Marton, Jerusalem, Adam
    Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen / Haitink, Morris, Marton, Jerusalem, Adam
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 19479 Release Date: 05/27/2008   Number of Discs: 14
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Christine Hagen,  Jane Eaglen,  Eva-Maria Bundschuh,  Theo Adam  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Bavarian Radio Chorus
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  • 36.
    Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette, Les nuits d'été / Levine, Von Otter
    Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette, Les nuits d'été / Levine, Von Otter
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 427665 Release Date: 12/26/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Hector Berlioz
    Performer:  Philip Langridge,  Anne Sofie von Otter,  James Morris
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin RIAS Chamber Chorus,  Ernst Senff Chamber Choir
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  • 37.
    Opera Highlights - The Collector's Edition
    Opera Highlights - The Collector's Edition
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 09980 Release Date: 11/06/2007   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Richard Strauss,  Camille Saint-Saëns  ... 
    Performer:  Walter Berry,  Helga Dernesch,  Jon Vickers,  Karl Ridderbusch  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan,  Bernard Haitink,  Reginald Goodall,  Francesco Molinari-Pradelli  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Deutsche Oper Chorus,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Bavarian Radio Chorus  ... 
    On sale! $104.98
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  • 38.
    Wagner: Die Walküre Highlights / Levine, Behrens, Morris
    Wagner: Die Walküre Highlights / Levine, Behrens, Morris
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 427359 Release Date: 09/17/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  James Morris,  Hildegard Behrens,  Jessye Norman,  Gary Lakes
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 39.
    Best Beethoven 100
    Best Beethoven 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 97307 Release Date: 07/31/2007   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Eric Heidsieck,  Paul Tortelier,  Stephen Kovacevich,  Siegfried Rudolf Frese  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan,  Wolfgang Sawallisch,  Riccardo Muti,  Jeffrey Tate  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,  Nash Ensemble  ... 
    CD: $18.99
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  • 40.
    Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex / Levine, Langridge, Quivar, Et Al
    Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex / Levine, Langridge, Quivar, Et Al
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 435872 Release Date: 07/09/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Igor Stravinsky
    Performer:  Jan-Hendrik Rootering,  Donald Kaasch,  James Morris,  Jules Bastin  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra,  Chicago Symphony Chorus
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  • 41.
    Glyndebourne Diamonds - Five Great Opera Productions
    Glyndebourne Diamonds - Five Great Opera Productions
    Label: Arthaus Musik   Catalog: 101109 Release Date: 06/26/2007   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Claudio Monteverdi,  Igor Stravinsky
    Performer:  Reni Penkova,  Max René Cosotti,  Ugo Trama,  Bernard Dickerson  ... 
    Conductor:  John Pritchard,  Bernard Haitink,  Raymond Leppard
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Glyndebourne Festival Chorus,  London Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 42.
    The Gold & Silver Gala / Domingo, Alagna, Croft, Et Al
    The Gold & Silver Gala / Domingo, Alagna, Croft, Et Al
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 56337 Release Date: 05/07/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Lehár,  Jules Massenet,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Charles Gounod  ... 
    Performer:  Placido Domingo,  Roberto Alagna,  Angela Gheorghiu,  Leontina Vaduva  ... 
    Conductor:  Asher Fisch
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra
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  • 43.
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Haitink, Morris, Lipovsek, Zednik
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Haitink, Morris, Lipovsek, Zednik
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 58699 Release Date: 10/17/2006   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Julie Kaufmann,  Kurt Rydl,  Marjana Lipovsek,  Silvia Herman  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
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  • 44.
    Wagner: Die Walküre / Haitink, Martón, Studer, Salminen
    Wagner: Die Walküre / Haitink, Martón, Studer, Salminen
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 58705 Release Date: 10/17/2006   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Matti Salminen,  James Morris,  Cheryl Studer,  Reiner Goldberg  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
    On sale! $46.98
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  • 45.
    Verdi: Luisa Miller / Scotto, Domingo, Levine
    Verdi: Luisa Miller / Scotto, Domingo, Levine
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000707009 Release Date: 09/12/2006  
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Jean Kraft,  Sherrill Milnes,  Renata Scotto,  Placido Domingo  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
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  • 46.
    Best Classics 100
    Best Classics 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 70853 Release Date: 08/29/2006   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Gioachino Rossini,  Alexander Borodin,  George Frideric Handel  ... 
    Performer:  David Bell,  Henriette Puig-Roget,  Victoria de los Angeles,  Heather Harper  ... 
    Conductor:  Wolfgang Gönnenwein,  Jerzy Maksymiuk,  Sir Thomas Beecham,  Sir Charles Mackerras  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Consortium Musicum,  South German Madrigal Choir Stuttgart,  Polish Chamber Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $18.99
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  • 47.
    Best Film Classics 100
    Best Film Classics 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 70900 Release Date: 08/29/2006   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  George Frideric Handel,  Johann Pachelbel  ... 
    Performer:  André Saint-Clivier,  Wayne Marshall,  Maria Tipo,  Andrei Gavrilov  ... 
    Conductor:  Louis Auriacombe,  Sir David Willcocks,  Jerzy Maksymiuk,  Sir Neville Marriner  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Toulouse Chamber Orchestra,  Cambridge King's College Choir,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields  ... 
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  • 48.
    Essential Choral Classics
    Essential Choral Classics
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 000691802 Release Date: 06/13/2006   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Joseph Brackett,  Gioachino Rossini,  Gustav Mahler,  Gabriel Fauré  ... 
    Performer:  Mirella Freni,  Lucia Valentini-Terrani,  Ruggero Raimondi,  Luciano Pavarotti  ... 
    Conductor:  Jerold Ottley,  Romano Gandolfi,  Sir Georg Solti,  George Guest  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Mormon Tabernacle Choir,  Milan Teatro alla Scala Chorus,  Vienna Concert-Verein  ... 
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  • 49.
    Metropolitan Opera Gala - James Levine's 25th Anniversary
    Metropolitan Opera Gala - James Levine's 25th Anniversary
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000460209 Release Date: 11/22/2005  
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Charles Gounod,  Richard Strauss  ... 
    Performer:  Renée Fleming,  Dame Kiri Te Kanawa,  Jerry Hadley,  Bryn Terfel  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
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  • 50.
    James Levine - Documents Of The Munich Years Vol 8
    James Levine - Documents Of The Munich Years Vol 8
    Label: Oehms   Catalog: 508 Release Date: 11/17/2005   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  James Morris,  Linda Watson,  Birgitta Svendén,  Ben Heppner
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
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