James Roberson as Peter (Father)

James Roberson is a graduate of the University of Auckland where he was awarded a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts Conjoint Degree with majors in Classical Performance (Voice), Drama, and English Literature. James also completed a Master of Music in Musicology with First Class Honours and holds an LTCL in Vocal Performance. James has performed in a number of productions and concerts around New Zealand and has sung with a range of national companies including Voices New Zealand, the New Zealand Opera Chorus, The Handel Consort and Quire, Auckland Opera Studio, and Nelson’s Chroma Chamber Choir. James’ roles to date include Dr Shrink in Menotti’s The Boy Who Grew Too Fast, King Melchior in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Tommy in Eve De Castro Robinson’s Len Lye the Opera, Joseph in Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Gobryas in Handel’s Belshazzar, and Caleb in Handel’s Joshua. James has also made notable solo and ensemble performances including the Baritone Soloist in Fauré’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Donizetti’s Lucia Di Lammermoor, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Lee Mingwei’s Sonic Blossom.

James is a secondary teacher and is currently the Teacher in Charge of Music and Learning Area Lead of English and Languages at John Paul II High School in Greymouth. He is also a cantor and organist at St Patrick’s Parish Greymouth, and previously served in these positions at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph in Auckland. James is thrilled to be singing the role of the Father in this production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and is very excited to make his debut with Toi Toi Opera.