A Mississippi opera singer described as having “a major, stunning voice” by Opera News will be the featured artist for this month’s St. Paul’s Music Series.

    Tenor John Christopher Adams will showcase his talents at the Oct. 16 concert, which features the theme “From Broadway to Opera.”

    Adams is quickly establishing himself on stages around the world. Listeners have applauded him for his “ability to pour his heart and soul into every phrase.” A native of Fannin, Adams studied drama and music with Karen Streit and H.G. Morgan. Under their tutelage, he received several honors, including induction into the Mississippi Thespian Hall of Fame and being named the Nation’s Top Performer by the International Thespian Society in 2001. He is a 2006 graduate of the Mississippi College Department of Music, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. He recently completed both a master’s degree in vocal performance and an artist diploma in opera at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. 

    Adams has won numerous scholarships, awards, and honors including: the North Mississippi/West Tennessee Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition, the Mosby Award at the Mid-South Regional Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Da Capo Award at the Orpheus Vocal Arts Competition, the 2006 Governor’s Award for Most Outstanding Performance at the Southern Division National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Voice Competition, Finalist in the NATS State and Regional voice competition for seven consecutive years, the Zimmerman Scholarship, the John L. Magro Foundation Scholarship, and an invitation to perform with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra in an Honors Recital.  

    Recent international engagements have placed him on the stages of the Festpielhaus Baden-Baden and the Opernhaus Zurich. Recent US engagements include Nelson in Seattle Opera’s production of Porgy and Bess, Erste geharnischte Mann in Seattle Opera’s production of Die Zauberflöte, Kunz Vogelgesang in Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg and Rodolfo (cover) in La Bohéme with Cincinnati Opera, and Lennie in  Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men with the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music.  The role of Lennie, which was described as “the role of his life,” brought much attention to this young tenor who was praised for “having it all, not just size and staure, but a steely bright tenor that soared over everything and, topping it off, the genuine demeanor of a child” (Music in Cincinnati). Maestro Floyd even referred to Adams as “simply brilliant” and “the type of Lennie he envisioned.”

    Other US engagements include Crabman in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Bacchus in CCM’s production of Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, Rodolfo in CCM’s production of Puccini’s La Bohéme, Mr. McDowell in the world premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s Rise for Freedom: The John P. Parker Story with Cincinnati Opera, Alfred in the Rising Stars Audition Works’ production of Die Fledermaus, Eisenstein in Mississippi College Opera Theatre’s production of Die Fledermaus, and Father Angelo in James Sclater’s The Christmas Gift.