James Lee

James Lee (Korean: Jeong-Hwan Lee, born 1979) is a South Korean operatic tenor known for his performances in dramatic roles, particularly within the Italian opera repertoire. He has built an international career, primarily in Europe, while also performing in Asia and other regions.

Early life and education James Lee was born in South Korea and discovered his passion for music at a young age while singing in a church choir. He later studied vocal performance at Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan. He continued his education at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, Germany, under the guidance of Alexandru Ionitza, where he refined his operatic singing skills. Subsequently, he received further training from the Italian tenor Ernesto Veronelli.

Career James Lee began his professional career in South Korea, performing roles such as Alfred and Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore, and Pong in Turandot from 2008 to 2010. During this period, he also participated in contemporary Korean operas, including the role of Dong-i in Woo, Jong Uek’s Love of Buckwheat,