Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter

Lyric’s Ryan Opera Center Presents Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter

Lyric’s Ryan Opera Center presents a free virtual concert celebrating the depth and breadth of Black artistry, hosted by world-renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who also serves as artistic advisor for the event.

The concert will also feature prominent Ryan Opera Center alumni — soprano Whitney Morrison, mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, and baritone Will Liverman — and three current 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members — tenors Martin Luther Clark and Lunga Eric Hallam, and baritone Leroy Davis.

Performances will be accompanied by Craig Terry, the Grammy-Award winning music director of the Ryan Opera Center, and Chris Reynolds, current Ensemble pianist. Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra will also appear in a special selection, performing from their homes.

Each of the performers has selected some of their favorite repertoire to share, resulting in a dynamic combination of arias, songs, and spirituals, showcasing the virtuosic range of the artists.

The event title recognizes the event as an expanded "next chapter" to a wonderfully successful, sold-out community concert event that was held in Fall 2019.

  • Running Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Program notes

Program notes

Program notes

We invite you to learn more about the artists performing in Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter and explore each piece that has been personally chosen by these gifted artists through the program notes.

Program Notes

Streaming guide

Streaming guide

For live English translations, we recommend turning on closed captions. For more tips and tricks to improve your viewing experience, visit our streaming guide.

Streaming Guide

Videos

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Ryan Opera Center in Conversation: Lawrence Brownlee & Craig Terry

Join in a conversation with Ryan Opera Center Music Director Craig Terry and LAWRENCE BROWNLEE & FRIENDS: THE NEXT CHAPTER Artistic Advisor/Host/Performer Lawrence Brownlee as they talk about the genesis for the upcoming virtual concert event.

Ryan Opera Center in Conversation: Shawn E. Okpebholo and Will Liverman

Join in a conversation with Ryan Opera Center Alumnus Will Liverman and Chicago composer Shawn E. Okpebholo as they discuss "TWO BLACK CHURCHES" for the upcoming virtual concert event.

Ryan Opera Center in Conversation: J'Nai Bridges and Leroy Davis

Join in a conversation with Ryan Opera Center Alumna J'Nai Bridges and current Ryan Opera Center Member Leroy Davis as they talk about their journey to the Ryan Opera Center and get into their work for the upcoming virtual concert event.

Ryan Opera Center in Conversation: Whitney Morrison and Martin Luther Clark

Join in a conversation with Ryan Opera Center Alumna Whitney Morrison and current Ryan Opera Center Member Martin Luther Clark as they talk about their journey to the Ryan Opera Center and get into their work for the upcoming virtual concert event.

Meet the artists

** Ryan Opera Center alumni
*** Current Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member

Artist videos

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"Oh, Glory" by Shawn Okpebholo

J'Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano, Paul Sánchez, piano
WFMT

"Don't You Weep When I'm Gone" with Will Liverman

Frisson Films

Lawrence Brownlee: NPR Music Field Recordings

J'Nai Bridges w/ Gustavo Dudamel, LA Phil & YOLA "Heaven & Whole World In Your Hands"

Global Citizen

"Smile" by Will Liverman

Skillman Music

Artists In the news

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Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter is sponsored by

Anonymous Donor

Walter E. Heller Foundation

Rhoda and Henry Frank Family Foundation

Cherryl T. Thomas

Mary and Lionel Go

Carol "Mickey" Norton

Debbie K. Wright