Lawrence Brownlee Flies High

Lawrence Brownlee has been the toast of Chicago in two signature roles – first, as Ramiro in Cinderella, one of the most stupendous debuts in the company’s history; and then as Charlie in the Lyric Unlimited production of Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD, a role written especially for him. This season, Brownlee returns to the Lyric stage in another bel canto role he has truly made his own, Arturo in Bellini’s I Puritani.

Listening to Lawrence Brownlee sing bel canto is one of the greatest pleasures of going to the opera these days. The Ohio native is sought after by major companies worldwide. That has everything to do with an incomparably beautiful voice that can sail into the stratosphere like no one else's. His role in I Puritani feels as if it could have been written to do away with tenors, the phrases are so long and take the tenor so outrageously high. For Brownlee, it’s nothing – he just sails through the music, to high C and even beyond. What’s more, he’s a gloriously elegant musician, and when he offers words of love to Arturo’s beloved Elvira, it’s not just his soprano partner onstage but everyone in the audience who melts. 

After triumphs as Arturo at the Met, Zurich, Copenhagen, and Seattle, Lawrence Brownlee is finally bringing his glorious portrayal to Lyric. Be there to hear a tenor who’s creating his own Golden Age of singing!

Cycles of My Being premieres in Chicago February 22 at the DuSable Museum 

Celebrate Black History Month by taking in an all-new song cycle starring celebrated tenor Lawrence Brownlee this February 22 at the historic DuSable Museum of African American History. Co-commissioned by Lyric Unlimited, Opera Philadelphia, and Carnegie Hall, these compelling songs explore the realities of life as a black man in America. Composed by Tyshawn Sorey with lyrics by Terrance Hayes, this is an evening of music you won’t want to miss! Tickets will be on sale soon at lyricopera.org, check out your January Lyric Notes for details!