Carnegie Hall

Lawrence Brownlee is a leading figure in opera, and a voice for activism and diversity in the industry. Captivating audiences and critics around the globe, he has been hailed as “an international star in the bel canto operatic repertory” (The New York Times), “one of the world’s leading bel canto stars” (The Guardian), and “one of the most in-demand opera singers in the world today” (NPR).

In the 2022–2023 season, Mr. Brownlee performs a program with longtime friend, collaborator, and fellow Rossini expert Michael Spyres titled Amici e Rivali at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. In addition to Carnegie Hall, his new concert with pianist Kevin J. Miller—Rising—will be performed at the Kimmel Center, Calderwood Studio in Boston, and Emory University’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Brownlee made his role debut as Rodrigo in Rossini’s Otello as part of Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O22. In November, he returned to Lyric Opera of Chicago in the title role of Le comte Ory, followed by Elvino in Bellini’s La sonnambula at Madrid’s Teatro Real in December. Earlier this year, Mr. Brownlee performed one of his signature Rossini roles—Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia—at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. His season ends with his return to the Metropolitan Opera as Tamino in a new production of Die Zauberflöte.

Amidst the challenges of COVID-19, Mr. Brownlee emerged as a pivotal voice in classical music’s shift toward digital programming and the resurgence of conversations around racial justice. A passionate advocate for diversity initiatives, Mr. Brownlee works with companies and engages civic organizations in the cities he visits to create programs and experiences that seek to expand opera audiences. His critically acclaimed solo recital program Cycles of My Being—a song cycle that centers on the Black male experience in America today—has toured extensively, including performances at Opera Philadelphia, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. Following the successful Lawrence Brownlee and Friends concert at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2019, Mr. Brownlee performed Giving Voice at Houston Grand Opera to celebrate Houston’s diverse community and gave an online performance of Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter in July 2020.

American pianist Kevin J. Miller is acclaimed for his dynamically artful performances. Recent collaborations include recitals with Lawrence Brownlee at Houston Grand Opera, John Holiday at the Kennedy Center and London’s Barbican, Joseph Calleja and Nadine Sierra at the Supreme Court of the United States, and an appearance with Mr. Calleja on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. Mr. Miller prepared soprano Jessye Norman for performances of Laura Karpman’s production of Ask Your Mama. He can be heard on the album Been in de Storm So Long with Kenneth Overton.

A native of New York City, Mr. Miller has been on the fast track to success since his days in the Boys Choir of Harlem. Beginning his musical studies at the age of 8, he was a featured soprano soloist, most notably in Vivaldi’s Gloria and Lake George Opera’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. While in the choir, he also studied piano with conductor and pianist Warren Wilson and soon began his work as an accompanist, including on the choir’s tours to Europe, Israel, Austria, and Japan.

Mr. Miller studied at the Mannes College of Music. He continued at the University of Michigan, where he received both a Master of Music degree and the Artist Diploma in Collaborative Piano under the tutelage of Martin Katz. In addition to his formal studies, Mr. Miller has been a participant in some of the country’s most prestigious festivals and young artist apprenticeships, including the Tanglewood Institute, Aspen Music Festival, Art Song Festival at the Cleveland Institute of Music, San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program, Cafritz Young Artists of Washington National Opera, and Glimmerglass Festival. Upon completion of his apprenticeship at Glimmerglass, he was invited to serve as a vocal coach at the festival.