Renowned opera singer, former IU professor dies at 80

James King, an American tenor whose vibrant, powerful voice made him a favorite in leading roles on opera stages around the world during the 1960s and '70s, died of a heart attack Sunday. He was 80.\nKing, who later became a music professor at IU, died in Naples, Fla., a school official said.\nKing, born in Dodge City, Kan., made his professional debut as Don Jose in Bizet's "Carmen" 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.\nBut he won his greatest renown in the German repertory, specializing in the operas of Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss.\nHe scored one of his greatest triumphs in 1968 singing the role of Siegmund at London's Royal Opera House opposite soprano Gwyneth Jones in Wagner's "Die Walkuere," part of a "Ring" cycle production conducted by Georg Solti.\nAt the Metropolitan Opera, he sang 113 performance over 30 years, beginning with his debut in 1966 as Florestan and ending with the character role of Aegisth in Strauss's "Elektra."\nHe taught music and voice at IU from 1984 until 2002.