James Rutherford in conversation with John Payne
A Wagner Society Manchester talk on Monday 13 April 2026, at 19:00 via Zoom
Since winning the inaugural Seattle Opera International Wagner competition in 2006, James Rutherford has become renowned for his interpretations of German romantic opera. With “his rich and booming voice and nuanced acting” (Bachtrack), his celebrated Wagner roles have taken him to the world’s leading operatic stages. He has performed Hans Sachs (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg) for houses including the Bayreuth Festival, Wiener Staatsoper, Hamburgische Staatsoper, Oper Köln, San Francisco Opera, Budapest Wagner Festival and Glyndebourne Festival; Wolfram (Tannhäuser) for San Francisco Opera and Deutsche Oper Berlin; the title role in Der Fliegende Holländer for the Staatsoper Berlin, Budapest Wagner Festival, Oper Frankfurt and Oper Stuttgart as well as Kurwenal (Tristan und Isolde) for Washington National Opera.
The part of Wotan has been fundamental to James’ career. He first performed the role to much critical acclaim at Oper Frankfurt, conducted by Sebastian Weigle in 2016. Since then, he has performed Das Rheingold and Die Walküre at the Budapest Wagner Festival, Das Rheingold for Hamburgische Staatsoper, and Calgary Opera; Die Walküre at Tanglewood and Teatro Real Madrid, and The Wanderer, Siegfried for Oper Leipzig. He recorded Die Walküre with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Simon Rattle. With Deutsche Oper am Rhein, he has performed all three roles in a new production of the Ring. In the 25/26 season, James makes his long-awaited debut with Grange Park Opera. James will sing the role of Wotan/The Wanderer over the next four years with the company.
As usual, members of the Society will be sent the zoom link nearer the time.
Non-members wishing to attend should contact susi.manchesterwagnersociety@gmail.com for details of how to attend the meeting.
All are warmly invited to come along to what should be a fascinating talk