Patrick Clement James

Patrick Clement James is a writer and teacher based in New York City. His love of opera began in high school, leading to studies in vocal performance at the Manhattan School of Music. He currently studies English literature as a Ph.D. student at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, and he teaches at Brooklyn College. As a writer, he is particularly interested in the ways that opera participates in the larger contexts of history and culture.

Conversion narrative Conversion narrative

Blood-and-guts singing is the reason to see Nabucco at the Metropolitan Opera this season.

on December 13, 2016 at 1:09 PM
Mourning glory Mourning glory

I can think of no other role that provides the most unique promise of humiliation, and consequently the most opportunity for glory.

on December 06, 2016 at 4:59 PM
Chanson d’amour Chanson d’amour

Much like Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, which launched the Met’s 2016-2017 season, Kaija Saariaho’s L’Amour de Loin is an opera about love and death.

on December 02, 2016 at 1:44 PM
Flight of fancy Flight of fancy

Jonathan Dove’s Flight is an opera that makes excellent use of setting.

on November 18, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Gone girl Gone girl

Anna Netrebko‘s Manon was deeply unforgettable for its wide scope, control, and incredible virtuosity.

on November 15, 2016 at 5:05 PM
Search for Tamara Search for Tamara

The 2016 Richard Tucker Award recipient is Tamara Wilson.

on October 31, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Rock, star Rock, star

The centerpiece of Janácek’s Jenufa was the performance of Karita Mattila as the murderous Kostelnicka.

on October 29, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Heart in darkness Heart in darkness

>The Crypt Sessions, in collaboration with On Site Opera, presented the world premiere of Gregg Kallor’s The Tell-Tale Heart

on October 29, 2016 at 12:16 PM
Mark, missed Mark, missed

Thoughtless direction stifled the epic drama.

on October 19, 2016 at 5:17 PM
Period piece Period piece

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s production of L’Italiana in Algeri for the Met remains steadfastly ignorant of postcolonial theory.

on October 05, 2016 at 5:41 PM
No view from the bridge No view from the bridge

Mariusz Trelinski unveiled a rather gloomy, though musically satisfying, Tristan und Isolde.

on September 27, 2016 at 10:50 AM
Guilt and pleasure Guilt and pleasure

Ambivalent is how I feel about Cosí fan tutte.

on September 17, 2016 at 2:51 PM
Can’t buy me love Can’t buy me love

dell’ arte Opera Ensemble continued its exploration of love and money by mounting Massenet’s Manon

on August 22, 2016 at 10:58 AM
Bridging the gap Bridging the gap

On Saturday night, dell’ arte Opera Ensemble presented a lean performance of La Traviata.

on August 15, 2016 at 11:55 AM
Amateur hour Amateur hour

Florence Foster Jenkins, a new film directed by Stephen Frears, celebrates a true amateur.

on August 13, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Old west side story Old west side story

While composed within a European style, La Fanciulla del West is an opera that manages to present a distinctly American experience.

on July 23, 2016 at 12:29 PM
Drunk in love Drunk in love

According to my taste, Die Fledermaus is an intoxicating opera

on July 09, 2016 at 3:11 PM
The singer’s art The singer’s art

Call me old fashioned, but when I go to the opera, I go to hear beautiful singing.

on July 08, 2016 at 3:37 PM
Imagined possibilities Imagined possibilities

The opera Patience and Sarah is a fantastic example of radical creativity.

on June 25, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Rolling on the river Rolling on the river

Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas at NYCO charts the emotional trajectory of seven characters aboard a ship called the El Dorado.

on June 23, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Bleeding love Bleeding love

I have always wanted to see a production of Strauss’ Elektra that made my ears bleed.

on June 20, 2016 at 11:06 AM
One ringy-dingy One ringy-dingy

Opera Upper West recently tweeted an unfortunate picture of me.

on June 13, 2016 at 11:00 AM
There ought to be clowns There ought to be clowns

Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of listening to someone tell a joke badly?

on June 03, 2016 at 3:11 PM
Community service Community service

Regina Opera almost completely fulfilled its mission Saturday afternoon with their production of Manon Lescaut.

on May 16, 2016 at 11:00 AM