Kimberly Gratland James

Kimberly Gratland James, Mezzo-Soprano, enjoys an active performance career in concert, recital,
and operatic venues. Ms. James’ tone has been described as “well-rounded,” “deep, rich,” and
“resonant.” Her performances have been noted for vocal strength, nuance, musicality, and
convincing dramatic portrayals. She made her Lincoln Center debut in 2003 in John Adams’ Grand Pianola Music with John Adams conducting the London Sinfonietta and previously performed the piece with the New World Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

 

Recent concert performances include: Mahler’s 2nd Symphony, Beethoven’s 9th
Symphony, Heggie's The Deepest Desire at the NEXTET New Music Festival (Las Vegas), the southwest premiere of Juliana Hall’s Through the Guarded Gate, and Verdi’s Requiem. Ms. James is an active recitalist having performed with her Love the Fair Day colleagues in the greater Los Angeles area, Sacramento, Lubbock, and Iowa City as well as with the Amiche Duo at national and international festivals and recital venues in the Pacific Northwest.
 

Ms. James is equally at home on the operatic stage. Most recently she performed Gertrude Stein
in Gordon's 27 with Opera Las Vegas, Madame de Croissy in Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Mary in Der Fliegenge Holländer. She has performed with Chautauqua Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis, New Orleans Opera, Vegas City Opera, Montana Lyric Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, and other companies across North America. Additionally, she covered the role of Varvara in Kátya Kabanová at Santa Fe Opera and the leading mezzo roles of Carmen and Gertrude (Hamlet) for Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Featured performance roles have included the title role of Carmen, Jo in Little Women (both the international premiere and university premiere), Erika in Vanessa, Ein Page in Salome, Hansel, and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible among others.

Ms. James earned a Master of Music degree from Rice University and a Performer’s Diploma from
Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. While at IU, Kimberly was a student of Costanza Cuccaro.