For a decade, James was a member of the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, where he has appeared in more than 300 performances and worked with many of the world's finest conductors and directors, such as Sir Mark Elder, Sir David McVicar, Graham Vick and Vladimir Jurowski. He now sings regularly at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, as a member of the extra chorus. As well as singing in the chorus, he has also understudied many of the comprimario roles, including Monsieur Triquet, Remendado and Don Curzio.

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​When not singing in the chorus, James can be found performing  and covering roles for other companies, such as Bury Court Opera, Bampton Opera, Buxton Opera, Scottish Opera, Capella Cracoviensis, Music Theatre Wales, Silent Opera, Caledonian Opera and Haddo House Opera. He has performed many roles, including Don Ottavio, Don Basilio, Male Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia), Grimoaldo (Rodelinda) and Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance).