James Rainbird

Cover Notes - James Rainbird was born in Rustington, West Sussex, in May 1975 and at the time of this recording was educated at King's House School, Richmond, Surrey. As a member of the King's House School Choir he has been a featured soloist on tour in France in 1984 with concerts in Fontainbleu, Larchant Cathedral and Notre Dame, Paris; and in 1985 on tour in New York State. London engagements with the choir included venues such as The Royal Festival Hall, The Barbican, the Grosvenor House Hotel, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Among the recording credits with the Choir included backing Tina Turner for the song "We don't need another hero" from the film "Max Max Beyond Thunderdome."

In January 1986 James understudied Aled Jones on three occasions for "The Snowman" and in February sang "Walking in the Air" under Howard Blake's baton -- this successful concert for Raymond Gubbey Concerts was repeated in April. James recorded two scores for Nigel Hess -- the first being "Winter's Tale" for the Royal Shakesspeare Company at Stratford and after this for a play starring Helen Mirren.

Download Empire of the Sun trailer (James Rainbird is the soloist with the Ambrosian Junior Choir - the boy in the film is Justin Bale)

Empire Of The Sun (1987)
Starring: Nigel Havers, Miranda Richardson, Leslie Phillips, Joe Pantoliano, John Malkovich, Ben Stiller, Christian Bale, Robert Stephens, Rupert Frazer
Director: Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg's epic about a youngster's harrowing and remarkable experiences in World War II-era China after the Japanese invasion

The Sublime voice of James Rainbird is available at Pascal's Music Distribution & Priory Records. This and the other recordings (eg Empire of the sun and Amahl are available at amazon.co.uk

All rights reserved - boysoprano.org

Discography

James Rainbird sings music for a while - Priory PRC 217, Cassette (1987)

PRCD 5005 The Sublime Treble Voice of James Rainbird
Michael Stuckey - Piano 
Front Cover: Fishing Boats off Yarmouth by John Sell Cotman 1782-1842 

1. Come Again John Dowland (3:27) 
2. Fine Knacks for Ladies John Dowland (3:14) 
3. What Then is Love Philip Rosseter (2:53) 
4. Prepare Thyself Zion J.S.Bach (5:28) 
5. Man is For Woman Made Henry Purcell (1:04) 
6. Music For a While Henry Purcell (4:11) 
7. Star Vicino Selvator Rosa (2:00) 
8. The Revival Michael Stuckey (3:24) 
9. A Ballad From "Paul Bunyan" Benjamin Britten (3:06) 
Four Songs of the Sea Op. 1 - Roger Quilter 
10. I Have a Friend (1:40) 
11. The Seabird (2:11) 
12. Moonlight (2:33) 
13. By the Sea (1:32) 
14. The Holy Boy John Ireland (3:38) 
15. New Year Carol Benjamin Britten (2:26) 
16. A Ballad From "Paul Bunyan" Benjamin Britten (2:35) 
17. Sure On This Shining Night Op. 13 No. 3 Samuel Barber (2:47) 
18. Hommage à Chopin No.2 Andrzej Panufnik (2:28) 

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS 
 James Rainbird as Amahl with the ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, COVENT GA 
Label: JAY-Jay Records
UPC: 605288130328 also Ter Records CDTER1124

1. Prelude/Opening 
2. What Was Keeping You Outside 
3. Don't Cry Mother Dear 
4. From Far Away We Come 
5. Amahl, Go See Who's Knocking 
6. It's Nice Here 
7. I Was A Shepherd 
8. This Is My Box 
9. Have You Seen A Child? 
10. Shepherds, Shepherds 
11. Dance 
12. Thank You Good Friends 
13. All That Food 
14. Thief! Thief! 
15. I Walk Mother 
16. What To Do With Your Crutch? 

In December 1986, James was a guest soloist for BBC Radio 2 "Friday Night is Music Night: with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black and also for a Gala Night of 100 Stars from the London Paladium -- broadcast on LWT on Boxing Day. James' main achievement during December 1986 was an invitation from The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to study the role of Amahl in Menotti's opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors." The opera directed by the composer was presented by The Royal Opera House during December in honour of Menotti's 75th birthday. It was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and later James recorded the rold for TER Records.

He has recorded the solo vocal music for "Empire of the Sun," a film by Steven Spielberg, and performed in the Volte-Face production of Benjamin Britten's Church Parables in the Camden Festival. He then recorded "Jonathan's Song" -- the title song for the film "Magic Toyshop" and was invited to perform with the Wren Orchestra conducted by Stanley Myers at the Grosvenor House Hotel for the 1987 International Confederation of the Variety Clubs...and subsequently for the occasion to honour Sir Alec Guinness at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival where he sang in front of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales.

Since this recording, James worked extensively with Andrew Lloyd Webber, performing regularly at the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall and other enues throughout Europe and the USA. James went on to study as a Music Scolar at Frensham Heights School. Under the expert guidance and training of Edwin Rolles, he continued his musical career as a soloist with many guest performances. Today he continues to sing, living and working in central London as a singer/songwriter.