James Valenti

James Valenti (born September 2, 1977) is an American operatic tenor with an active international career specializing in leading roles in the Italian and French repertoire. Born and raised in New Jersey, in the United States, he attended St. Helena School and North Hunterdon High School before becoming a graduate of West Virginia University and the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Valenti made his professional debut in 2003 as Rodolfo in "La bohème" at the Rome Opera, and was the 2010 winner of the Richard Tucker Award.
Life and career.
Born in Summit, New Jersey, he was raised in Clinton. He developed an interest in performing as a student at North Hunterdon High School. Valenti is a graduate of West Virginia University and the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. In the course of his studies he received grants from the Singer's Development Foundation, the Sullivan Foundation, and the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation.
He made his professional debut at age 25 as Rodolfo in the Franco Zeffirelli production "La bohème" at the Rome Opera. He went on to perform in many of the world's major opera houses, including La Scala, Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Paris Opera, Sydney Opera House, Opernhaus Zürich and Teatro Colón. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in March 2010 as Alfredo in Verdi's "La traviata" in a cast that included Angela Gheorghiu and Thomas Hampson, and at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in the same role in June 2010. His roles include Cavaradossi in "Tosca", Don José in "Carmen", Don Carlo in "Don Carlo", the Duke of Mantua in "Rigoletto", Lt. Pinkerton in "Madama Butterfly", Maurizio in "Adriana Lecouvreur", Edgardo in "Lucia di Lammermoor", Werther in "Werther" and Doctor Faust in "Faust".
Valenti is an ambassador for Children International and resides in West Palm Beach, Florida.
New York City Opera Renaissance mounted Puccini’s “Tosca” in January 2015, at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center, in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, with Valenti performing.