WORCESTER As a high school student in Youngstown, Ohio, two of Lawrence Brownlee s teachers told him they thought I had a voice suited to classical music, he recalled.
He was selected for a program at Youngstown State University while still in high school that consisted of singing lessons every Monday night, culminating in a recital. At the recital, After I finished there was a standing ovation from the audience, Brownlee said. I thought, Hey, perhaps there is something to this classical music thing.
Brownlee is now one of the world s leading operatic tenors, hailed by The New York Times as an international star in the bel canto operatic repertory. He has a tenor voice that comes across with both gravitas and subtlety along with a masterful range. He is also known as a voice for activism and diversity in the industry.
GREAT BEND TRIBUNE More
By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. Hymns featured in Sterling College Band Concert
STERLING Sterling College is known as a Christian college. That will be clear as the Sterling College Symphonic Band presents its winter concert entitled “The Music of the Spheres” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 14 in Culbertson Auditorium.
Director Larry Brownlee explains the concert title, saying, “I wanted something related to music and hymns. I thought of the hymn ‘This is My Father’s World’ with the lyric ‘all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.’ It just reminded me that music is everywhere, just as God is everywhere.
Houston Grand Operaâs
Giving Voice concert last January was a triumphant celebration of Black voices in opera. Now Houstonians can give a standing ovationâalbeit from their living roomsâfor its sequel, which is available to stream through February 21.
This yearâs concert features several of the most renowned African American opera singers in the country, including tenor Larry Brownlee and soprano Nicole Heaston as co-hosts and performers. Joining them are baritone Donnie Ray Albert, tenor Frederick Ballentine, mezzo-soprano and HGO Studio alumna Zoie Reams, and soprano Karen Slack, as well as four current HGO Studio artists: baritone Blake Denson, bass Cory McGee, soprano Raven McMillon, and bass-baritone Nicholas Newton. Kevin J. Miller, assistant conductor with HGO, accompanies them on piano.