James King, 80; Tenor Famed for His Roles in Wagner, Strauss Operas

James King, 80, an American tenor whose vibrant, powerful voice made him a favorite in leading roles on international opera stages in the 1960s and ‘70s, died of a heart attack Sunday at his retirement home in Naples, Fla.

King, a native of Dodge City, Kan., earned his master’s of music degree at the University of Kansas City.

He made his professional debut with the San Francisco Opera and rose to international prominence in 1961, singing the role of Cavaradossi in Puccini’s “Tosca” at Florence’s Teatro della Pergola.

But he won his greatest fame singing German repertory, specializing in the operas of Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss.

At New York’s Metropolitan Opera, he sang 113 performances over 30 years, beginning with his debut in 1966 as Florestan in Beethoven’s “Fidelio” and ending with the character role of Aegisth in Strauss’ “Elektra.”

King taught music and voice at Indiana University from 1984 to 2002.

His final performance came at the university in 2000, when he took the role of Siegmund in a production of Wagner’s “Die Walkure.”