Tenor Lawrence Brownlee is one of the most consistently sought-after artists on the international scene. He is lauded continually for the beauty of his voice, his seemingly effortless technical agility, and his dynamic and engaging dramatic skills.

The Cleveland Chamber Music Society presents an evening with tenor Lawrence Brownlee, with Martin Katz (piano) May 8, at 7:30 p.m. The event is to be held at Plymouth Church, 2860 Coventry Road, Shaker Heights, OH.

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee is one of the most consistently sought-after artists on the international scene. He is lauded continually for the beauty of his voice, his seemingly effortless technical agility, and his dynamic and engaging dramatic skills.

Born in Youngstown in 1972, Mr. Brownlee is one the most acclaimed bel canto tenors currently on stage.  This season, in addition to singing six roles by Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini, he also assumes a new one, Nadir in Bizet’s “Les pêcheurs de perles,” makes twelve company/ensemble debuts, and appears in Russia, South Africa, and Slovakia for the first time.

Mr. Brownlee’s professional stage debut took place in 2002 as Almaviva in “Barbiere” with Virginia Opera, a role he subsequently performed in Vienna, Milan, Berlin, Madrid, Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Baden-Baden, Hamburg, Tokyo, New York, Washington, San Diego and Boston.

Mr. Brownlee’s discography/videography continues to grow.  The 2010-11 season saw the EMI Classics CD release of Rossini’s “Stabat Mater,” also featuring Anna Netrebko, Joyce DiDonato and “Ildebrando d’Arcangelo,” with Antonio Pappano leading the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, as well as a DVD of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2010 HD relay of “Armida” on Decca. Additionally, Deutsche Grammophon released a DVD of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2009 production of “La Cenerentola” with Elīna Garanča as Angelina and Mr. Brownlee as her Prince. Among his earlier CD releases is his first solo disc (EMI Classics) featuring Italian songs by Schubert, Verdi, Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini, accompanied by Martin Katz.

Mr. Brownlee was named the Seattle Opera’s 2008 Artist of the Year, received the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s 2007 Alter Award for Artistic Excellence, and was the winner of both the 2006 Marian Anderson and Richard Tucker Awards, a feat never before achieved by any artist in the same year. Mr. Brownlee received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Anderson University and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University.  He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

For information about Brownlee’s performance call 216.291.2777 for tickets and group rates. Order on-line at www.clevelandchambermusic.org.