Meet James Valenti

Internationally acclaimed tenor James Valenti has built a global reputation for his elegant musicianship, commanding stage presence, ardent style, and voice of warm Italianate luster. The 6’5”, NYC-based tenor trained at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and Westminster Choir College in Princeton.

James made his professional debut at age 25 at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma as Rodolfo in the Franco Zeffirelli production of La Bohème. He has gone on to perform at the most celebrated theatres, opera houses, and concert halls in the world, including Teatro alla Scala Milan, Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Colón Buenos Aires, Royal Opera House London, Opéra National de Paris Bastille, Sydney Opera House, Münich Bayerische Staatsoper, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, La Monnaie Brussels, Salzburg Festival, in St. Petersburg Russia, Seoul South Korea, Tokyo Japan and at Opernhaus Zürich opposite stars like Angela Gheorghiu, Thomas Hampson, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Leo Nucci, Simon Keenlyside and collaborated with Maestros Antonio Pappano, Gustavo Dudamel, James Conlon, Carlo Rizzi, Leonard Slatkin, Steven Mercurio and many more. He has showcased his vocal ability and acting versatility in a variety of roles such as Don José in Carmen, Don Carlo in Don Carlo, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Alfredo Germont in La Traviata, Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto, Lt. Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Werther in Werther, Roméo in Roméo et Juliette, the title role in Faust. He portrayed Rudolph Valentino in Dominick Argento’s The Dream of Valentino, where he flaunted his Tango dancing skills.

In addition, James is an accomplished recitalist, having performed with The Schubert Club Series in Minnesota, The Rosenblatt Series in London, the Candlelight Series in NYC, and the St. Hugh-Steinway Concert Series in Miami. He has been a recipient of many accolades and awards, including The Richard Tucker Award for operatic excellence in 2010, the Maria Callas Debut Artist Award from Dallas Opera in 2009, The New York City Outstanding Debut Award in 2006, induction into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni (2015) at his alma mater West Virginia University and the proud recipient of awards from the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation since 2001. James was also the guest soloist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral NYC for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass in 2013. Recent highlights include concerts at Carnegie Hall, in Budapest, Hungary, Zimbabwe, Africa, St. Barth’s, a memorable Tosca for the rebirth of New York City Opera, Madama Butterfly in Poland and at The Metropolitan Opera with Kristine Opolais, Carmen in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Hamburg, Tosca for the Detroit Symphony with Patricia Racette and in Kansas City, a concert at Chicago Millennium Park with Ana María Martínez, a concert with Anna Netrebko at the Baden-Baden Festival in Germany, Rodolfo in La Bohème in Hong Kong and Roméo et Juliette in Birmingham. In 2023, he performed for the Puccini99 Concert for the Heritage Concert Series at Merkin Hall New York City, the Columbus Citizens Gala at Cipriani Wall Street to celebrate Italian-American Heritage, a benefit for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and collaborated with Ferrari in Austin, Monterey, and Milwaukee.

James has recently given masterclasses at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and Westminster Choir College in New Jersey.

He currently sits on the board as the committee chair of the Mildred May Scholarship for Emerging Opera Singers - a special scholarship designated for New Jersey-based opera singers. James is also an active humanitarian, giving his time to many organizations, including helping children as a celebrity ambassador with the global organization Children International, The All Hands and Hearts Fund, and Sing For Hope.