James Peyton Atherton Jr (April 27, 1943 – November 20, 1987)[1] was an American tenor and artistic director.[2] Classically trained, he went on to sing with numerous American opera companies. He also performed on stage in Europe.[3]
Early life and career
Atherton was born in Montgomery, Alabama, the son of James Peyton Atherton[4] (1904–1972) and Anna Avery Thomas (1909–1993), both of Montgomery, Alabama.
He shorted his name for the stage to simply "James Atherton" and had a successful career as a tenor and music director. He is listed as a noteworthy tenor in Marquis Who's Who[2] and is recognized in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.[5]
Atherton specialized in opera roles as the secondary tenor. He served on the faculties of Peabody Conservatory, Goucher College, Towson University, and Dickinson College.[13] However he eventually broadened his activities to stage management, as a stage director, and talent scout.[14] This new career path was curtailed by a short illness, resulting in his untimely death at the age of 44.[15]
1977 – He sang with the Metropolitan Opera as the Holy Fool and Simpleton in Boris Godunov, debuting on October 17, 1977; returning in 17 other roles.[17]
1980–1987 – His career evolved into stage direction. He was the artistic director of the opera studio at the St. Louis Conservatory at the time of his death in 1987.
^Thomson, Virgil; Stein, Gertrude; Leppard, Raymond; Recorded Anthology of American Music, Inc; Santa Fe Opera (1977), The Mother of Us All, New World Records, retrieved November 12, 2021