James Carlton Gauld (November 15, 1901 – March 2, 1975)[1] was an American operatic bass who had a prolific career during the 1930s through the 1960s.
Born and raised in Bedford, Indiana,[2] Gustos first rose to prominence at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, making his debut with the company in the 1931–1932 season as the King of Egypt in Giuseppe Verdi's Aida.
He remained at the Opéra Comique for three years, portraying a variety of roles like, Basilio in The Barber of Seville, the title role in Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, the Prior in Massenet's Le jongleur de Notre-Dame, des Grieux in Manon, Lothario in Mignon, Ramon in Charles Gounod's Mireille, the four villains in The Tales of Hoffmann, Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, and Scarpia in Tosca among others.
He also sang in the world premiere of Emmanuel Bondeville's L’École des maris (1933) with the company.
He sang at the NYCO numerous times through 1957, notably playing Sander in the world premiere of David Tamkin's The Dybbuk in 1951.