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The American baritone, James Tippey (better known as Jim to his friends), began his singing career at the age of 13 and as of the age of 19, was a featured soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He made his debut in Los Angeles at the age of 29 at the Shrine Auditorium (1961). He received top honors in the Central District Met auditions, and was one of the winners of 1963 National Federation of Music Clubs’ auditions.
James Tippey performed with the Roger Wagner Chorale and Roger Wagner Chorale and was a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Bach Festival, Carmel Bach Festival (1962, under Sandor Salgo), Ojai Festival and performed at the Hollywood Bowl and at the New York City Ballet. In 1963, he gave a command performance for President Kennedy at the White House.
James Tippey was a soloist at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles in the late 1960’s early 1970’s. He left his position with First Congregational Church of Los Angeles to take a contract with the San Francisco Opera's Western Opera Theater. He performed over 40 roles with leading opera companies and music theaters throughout the country. He had a beautiful baritone voice. He had a delightful sense of humor, was highly intelligent and a great conversationalist and was well liked and respected by all who knew him. Later he was a respected voice teacher. Among his pupils: soprano Lynne Currie, and tenor Roger Graves.
Recordings: Erich Wolfgang Korngold: The Great Waltz, musical after Johann Strauss Sr. & and Jr. (Civic Light Opera, 1965); Antonio Vivaldi: Magnificat (soloists with Roger Wagner Chorale under Roger Wagner, Angel: 1967); Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah (Monterey County Symphony conducted by Haymo Taeuber, 2003). |
