Jay Ivey, baritone
James Ivey has been seen in such operatic roles as Rigoletto, Lescaut (Manon), the title roles of Don Giovanniand Gianni Schicchi, Morales (Carmen), and Maximillian in Candide with Jerry Hadley. Most recently he performed the role of British Ambassador in the world premiere of the new performing edition of The Ghosts of Versailles by John Corigliano with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Other roles performed with Opera Theatre of St. Louis include Spalanzani (Tales of Hoffmann), The Imperial Commissioner (Madama Butterfly),and Priest (Troilus and Cressida). Last December he was named Artist in Residence at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. James has also performed a number of oratorio and chamber works including the Brahms Requiem,Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, and Stravinsky’s Pulcinella. He has been a district winner for the Metropolitan National Council auditions, a NATS winner at the state and regional levels, and a finalist in the Mobile Opera competition. James is a recipient of the Nancy Wustman Memorial accompanying award and the Joseph Schlanger memorial opera award from the University of Illinois. He is also an active music director in the area, recently with the Indiana University theatre department in such production as Nine, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Oklahoma, and Day Boy Night Girl. Other professional music theatre credits include My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Little Shop of Horrors, Fiddler on the Roof,Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Feathers in the Wind. He is also former president of Indiana University Student NATS, the largest chapter in the nation.
