James Billings
James Billings (1932 – February 3, 2022) was an American operatic
Career
Billings graduated with a bachelor's degree in vocal performance from Wichita State University and then pursued graduate music studies at Boston University. While at BU he also studied at the Berkshire Music Center in the summers and notably conducted the world premiere of Mark Bucci's opera Tale for a Deaf Ear at the Tanglewood Music Festival in August 1957 with a cast that included Jean Kraft and Edward Purrington.[2]
Billings began his professional career singing under
In 1970 Billings sang in the company of the first national tour of
Billings has also occasionally sung with other opera houses and ensembles as a guest artist. In 1980 he performed Frank in Die Fledermaus with the
Billings is also the author of several librettos for children's operas. He wrote three librettos for composer Dennis Arlan (The Ballad of the Bremen Band, The Daughter of the Double Duke of Dingle, and Meanwhile, Back at Cinderella's) and one libretto for composer Ted Kicilek (Hansel and Gretel) to name just a few of his works.[1] For his work as a lyricist and librettist he has won several awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Billings has also directed a number of operas with the New York City Opera and other companies beginning with the NYC Opera's September 1996 production of H.M.S. Pinafore in which he also portrayed the role of Sir Joseph Porter.[30] In 2005, Springfield Regional Opera presented the premiere of his opera Babes in the Woods.
Billings has also authored several books including The Nutley Papers - Springfield Regional Opera Company premiered his opera based on this novel - and most recently the children's book The Daughter of the Double-Duke of Dingle. Billings died on February 3, 2022, at the age of 89.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d Rockwell, John (October 23, 1981). "New York Times, October 23, 1981". New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Warren Clark Jr. (August 7, 1957). "New York Times, August 7, 1957". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Davis, Peter G. (May 19, 1974). "New York Times, 19 March 1974". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ THEODORE STRONGIN Special to The New York Times (March 31, 1967). "New York Times, 31 March 1967". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ ROSS PARMENTER Special to The New York Times (November 11, 1962). "New York Times, 10 November 1962". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ "Lyric Opera of Chicago Archives". Lyricopera.org. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Hughes, Allen (January 20, 1969). "1969 January 20". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Dunning, Jennifer (January 5, 1981). "5 January 1981". New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ "Lyric Opera of Chicago Archives". Lyricopera.org. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ The Broadway League. "James Billings at the Internet Broadway Database". Ibdb.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Ericson, Raymond (July 14, 1972). "14 July 1972". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ [ Displaying Abstract ] (August 8, 1972). "New York Times, August 8, 1972". The New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Schonberg, Harold C. (October 5, 1972). "5 October 1972". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Donal Henahan. (October 16, 1973). "New York Times, 6 October 1973". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ "New York Times, September 28, 1981". New York Times. September 28, 1981. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Holland, Bernard (September 27, 1983). "New York Times, September 27, 1983". New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Ericson, Raymond (March 18, 1974). "New York Times, 18 March 1974". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ [ Displaying Abstract ]. "20 September 1975". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Henahan, Donal (April 16, 1982). "New York Times, April 16, 1982". New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Henahan, Donal (September 5, 1981). "5 September 1981". New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ New York Times, September 8, 1982
- ^ Henahan, Donal (October 11, 1980). "New York Times, October 11, 1980". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Grammy Awards.com Archived February 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bellafante, Ginia. "New York Times, April 7, 1989". The New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ [ Displaying Abstract ]. "New York Times, June 1, 1980". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Krebs, Albin (January 15, 1982). "New York Times, January 15, 1982". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Eleanor Blau (December 27, 1982). "New York Times, December 27, 1982". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ DONAL HENAHAN, Special to the New York Times (May 13, 1983). "New York Times, May 13, 1983". New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ "Lyric Opera of Chicago Archives". Lyricopera.org. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ "New York Times, February 7, 1996". New York Times. February 7, 1996. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
External links
- James Billings at IMDb