Lawrence Brownlee - Mozart - Un'aura amorosa (Cosi Fan Tutte)

On August 1, 2012, Lawrence Brownlee sang two Mozart arias at the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York City, NY. This is the second.

[@user-py1jg6bb2r]

Lawrence makes this love aria more attractive ever, a gift to classical operatic world, sweet golden high tenor,

[@tenorschofield]

Bravo he has a wonderful voice and charming emision. I like very much Lawrence Brownlee, he is superb, one of the best new lyrical stars in the firmament.Bravo!!!

[@GermanOperaSinger]

HIS name will be remembered 50 years from now. Even if he retired tomorrow he has accomplished enough to be considered one of the great bel canto tenors of the past 100 years.

[@ssr6036]

Geez, let's not go over the top.

[@ethan_udovich]

I agree completely

[@triest12]

Beautiful, warm and embracing, Mozart would have adored Larry! He would have composed madly for him!! Bavo Lawrence! Grazie Faustina for posting...

[@MrJonRio]

Why have I, a reasonably knowledgeable person with regards to Opera never come across this voice before. This is a truly beautiful voice. Perfect in every respect; I have seldom, if ever heard better singing of Mozart.

[@jeewonpark8424]

Simply amazing!...His voice is beautiful!

[@RafikCezanneTV]

Superb! Thanks for posting!

[@joga1943]

Beautiful voice! Bravo!

[@FaustinaBordoni]

I agree. We need some classical recordings from Brownlee NOW.

[@garymckenzie6681]

I like his voice VERY MUCH and I hope to hear more of him.

[@Indygirl9229]

All of the bashing-type comments (not truly critical in nature, based in jealousy and pettiness) really crack me up. If you know Larry at all, you would know that he would smile and simply be gracious, and then promptly walk all the way to the bank with his "flaws." He's a tremendous artist whether he's leggiero, Mozartian, or whatever... and he's a tremendous person to boot. :)

[@Winnepausakee]

It amazes me the range of appreciation to discontent, and the critical nit-picking about an accomplished voice. Sure, there may be or have been better "voices", or better interpreters of this or that style....but do one's "ears" actually care, or is the criticism, not just of Mr Brownlee a bit of "show boat" of its own. I'm a tenor. I'm 65 and on any day have 3 full octaves. I do not scare the cats into early eclipse nor offend my wife or neighbors. Have been encouraged for 40 years to perform, but that's not ever what I would feel comfortable doing. I applaud those who have what ever it is in them to share their talents despite the critique(s) from those who I highly doubt have any "room" so to speak to offer such criticism. The composers of these pieces are long since past caring how the pieces are sung. Indeed, the full chest voice carried up to the higher register was not "discovered" , if you will, at the time of Mozart, and there may have been castrati who were those better suited to some of his wonderful compositions. So, how 'bout one just relaxes a bit a allows the music, the total package thereof, to embrace them. Its okay to have favorites....I'd rather strawberry than pistachio...but that doesn't mean pistachio isn't soothing on a hot summer's day.

[@Galdorik]

Thank you, sir, for your words

[@reykwaan.adorno]

I totally agree!

[@WolfgangusMozartus]

Would love to see him live in Cosi

[@Elgary.1991]

I'm currently working on this aria myself. I looked up a video of the aria and this amazing tenor came to mind. Lovely voice, Mr. Brownlee. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift to us.

[@TheRosahamburgo]

I really don't understand when people say that vibrato is disturbing: Without vibrato is imposible to sing. Vibrato is the healthy way to move the vocal cords. Thank you for posting this amazing performance

[@utubewillyman]

In music, vibrato refers to a regular fluctuation in pitch as a note is sustained. It is possible to sing without pitch fluctuation, just as it is possible to play a violin string at a constant pitch. Non-vibrato occurs in many genres of music. There is no scientific basis for your statement regarding the health of the vocal chords. Brownlee is an excellent singer and uses vibrato. There are other excellent singers who do not use vibrato.

[@danafripp4120]

Rosa Sendros exactly. I think they're confusing "vibrato" with "tremolo." Larry Brownlee has an absolute beautiful light lyric voice with a perfectly even unforced vibrato.

[@ciociosan]

Rosa Sendros That's because they're idiots. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ssr6036]

@@danafripp4120 Not really, it's pretty wobbly.

[@sopranosd]

I am a Juan Diego fan, but I agree with you about Brownlee. He is really wonderful and doesn't have a nasal color.

[@hugoforth]

In my opinion this chap has set the bar for other Tenors currently on the scene......he is so clean and precise with such a pure voice and there has never been a Tenor who could reach these high notes as effortlessly as Lawrence, he is never strained at any pitch....he is just..........phenominal.

[@dalferr]

Bravo!

[@infrantasi]

Decades from now, young teenage tenors will listen to this like I listened to Wunderlich and diStefano. He is the finest there is, Mr. Brownlee.

[@davidhelmer4477]

infrantasi we still listen to Wunderlich.

[@nutcracker2007]

beautiful voice

[@divox9pqr]

I'm with my colleague below Mr. Owuor.....BRAVISSIMO.....BRAVISSIMO..BRAVISSIMO.

[@Owuoraj1]

BRAVISSIMO!!!!!!

[@SuperMelvyn]

Among the many positives here are a generous, interesting, colourful tone, an emotional honesty, clean intervals,excellent breath control, a sense of pleasure in the music and evenness throughout the range. I miss a little variety of dynamic and would like just a little more sense of wonder/mystery/poetry. But certainly a version that gives much pleasure.

[@willthebest1]

WOWWWW a modern Fritz Wunderlich..................a most beautiful resurrected voice of the past.

[@georgioverini2299]

No, he's not. Wunderlich has interesting timbre but has not coloratura and range. So what's the point of such comparison?

[@Olgaalwina]

Fritz is the Best !!!

[@user-py1jg6bb2r]

@@Olgaalwina this is different, maybe more color, and stronger tone, I agree Fritz W. be the classic among classic,

[@MrAndredekock]

My concern is that Mr Brownlee is no longer a spring chicken and at 41 he is on the inevitable downhill run and so we need these recordings NOW, while he is still at his peak and before he loses the flexibility etc that unfortunately comes with age. I'm 20 years older and my singing days are over but I certainly hope Mr Brownlee records those bel canto works NOW at the height of his prowess.

[@SingPure]

He was just on with the full 'italian songs' recital at Wigmore Hall, London - unfortunately I missed it by 2 days !

[@SFRDaniel]

I agree. Lawrence has much more emotional depth in his singing than Florez, and more sound frequencies as well. I haven't had a chance to hear him in person yet.

[@sarahmesfin6935]

Beautiful and such a sweet voice! Bravissimo! How can get this on I-Tune? Or any of this particular Mozart "Un' aura amorosa?

[@4musikable]

Beautiful.

[@CharlesProoth]

Fabulous!!!

[@FaustinaBordoni]

Yes, Brownlee will sing at the MET during the 2013-2014. He's slated for Bellini's I PURITANI in April 2014.

[@MrAndredekock]

I absolutely agree with you about Mr Brownlee's legato line and singing Mozart is ALL ABOUT the legato line and without it Mozart becomes a travesty. But most of all Mr Brownlee has that innate ability to interpret the aria, to give light and shade, to colour a note where needed and the ability to use the dynamics of his voice and the music, piano where called for and still a good forte as well. I would far rather hear him on an off-night than Mr Florez on his BEST night.

[@mariaolteanu193]

J'aime bien cette voix !

[@FaustinaBordoni]

Let's compromise. We need a recording of him singing arias by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. You know what Rossini aria I'm dying to hear Lawrence singing? "O fiamma soave" from LA DONNA DEL LAGO. It's about the most lyrical florid aria Rossini wrote for a tenor. I think Brownlee could do some wonderful things with it.

[@jgeigs]

Plus, Larry is super nice and unassuming. I met him at a friend's house when he was singing Cenerentola at HGO.

[@belcantospecialist]

Yes, please record a bel canto arias CD Mr. Brownlee. Way overdue.

[@pacino1500]

just the best!!

[@MusicalTenor23]

i was looking for the contrast between the A part and the B part.. though, he is fantastic.. as always....

[@terrietackett8964]

Pick, pick, pick....Well, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

[@davidsolomon8203]

This reveals a richer, more vibrant voice!

[@FABIANROBLESTenor]

Superbo!

[@bljoy126]

Alcina and Rodelinda, too! The Rodelinda ones aren't as well known, but Pastorello d'un povero armento is gorgeous! =D

[@sfov0g44g]

his voice is nice!

[@infrantasi]

What I love about Florez is his musicianship and sophisticated style. The timbre bothers me more on recordings than in the theater. Brownlee, on the other hand, is to the manner born for the bel canto, unforced, the right weight on every note, whereas Florez uses spinto technique in the french repertoire, and it lacks subtlety.

[@ONeirda]

Probably the most beautiful and homogenous tenor sound I've ever heard. The ease is phenomenal. The only a bit disturbing factor to my ears (but I am critizing here on a stellarly high level) is the quite prominent vibrato. An extraordinarily beautiful voice and extraordinarily secure command! A. von Uri, Switzerland

[@PooDotStinkPants]

#LIKE500 Excellent video, wonderful performance! We wish you good fortune with your channel and have a wonderful day.

[@FaustinaBordoni]

Yes, his absence is disappointing. More than anything else, I love Brownlee's legato line in this performance--it's so seamless. And he achieve this despite a nagging phlegm problem that evening, according to his twitter account. I hope Brownlee records an album of Handel and Mozart arias. He could do the arias from COSI, IDOMENEO, and ENTFUHRUNG. For Handel he could record arias from HERCULES, THEODORA, SEMELE, and JEPHTHA. EMI? Deutsche Grammophone? Listen up! ;)

[@robert111k]

I won't say he is better singer than anyone else (in fact I trully believe he is not) but, for me, his is the most beautiful timber currently on stage.

[@hermanjoseph4490]

Just beautiful--i heard him in person at the Met and his voice floats with a unique timbre throughout the house. He is a great tenor in line with Schipa, Valletti Kraus and George Shirley although lighter. Will he back at the Met --He did a great job in Armida and the Barber of Seville. He was in La Cenerentola but I did not like the production. I have the Ponelle production on DVD which is masterful.

[@vitonardi3892]

Lawrence mi è piaciuto da subito ed è un piacere sentirlo e risentirlo.

[@eugeniogentili1048]

A me non piace, ha il vibrato caprino.

[@MrAndredekock]

There is a real mellifluous warmth to this beautiful voice that reminds me so much of Mr Gedda at the height of his prowess. I find Mr Brownlee has that innate ability to interpret his roles that is becoming rarer these days. There are many singers out there all singing the right notes flawlessly, but they leave one totally cold and sound as if they are sight-reading the text for the first time and will work on the interpretation later, except they never do! But here is beautiful perfection!

[@ssr6036]

He is nothing like Gedda. Gedda sounded like a God and was exciting to listen to. Brownlee wobbles all over the place and makes you want to fall asleep.

[@MrAndredekock]

@@ssr6036 That's your opinion and you're entitled to it, although as much as you have praise for Mr Gedra, with whom I corresponded first by letter mail and then email for 30+ years, your comment about Mr Brownlee sounds like someone that has criticism for those who have reached heights of perfection that they themselves will NEVER achieve and who are embittered by that.

[@ssr6036]

@@MrAndredekock hahah heights of perfection 😂😂 He is a fine tenor, especially for nowadays, as nobody knows how to sing, but what he has reached are certainly not hights of perfection. He sounds like he should be singing Les Miserable, not opera. Congrats on corresponding with Gedda, I'm sure you love telling that story at parties 👍

[@MrAndredekock]

@@ssr6036 Actually I don't mention to anyone my correspondence with the famous singers with whom I have corresponded over many years, simply that you mentioned Mr Gedda yourself and thus it was an interesting exercise to see how you would respond, IF you did! Your response speaks volumes.

[@ssr6036]

@@MrAndredekock Well you're mentioning it now arn't you? 😂😂😂

[@davidharvey7426]

Lawrence is a very good, yopung tenor. As for the comparisons here, no one has mentioned the late Canadian Tenor Leopold Simoneau, an absolute master of the Mozart style who was considered, in his day, as the finest interpreter of Mozart at the time. And his voice is lighter the anyone mentioned here. Listen to the same aria by him and then compare.

[@crawyler]

Merci d'avoir rappelé la mémoire de Léopold Simoneau, mort à 90 ans après une superbe carrière. On notera que sa non moins remarquable femme Pierrette Alarie a également vécu quasiment 90 ans, ce qui est une belle réussite, non ! Les deux époux se caractérisent d'ailleurs par la légèreté et la beauté de leur voix …

[@incredulousG3]

Ariodante as well...

[@MadonnaImperia]

How about Don Ottavio's arias as well? :)

[@cpguerra]

I agree with JG, I much prefer Larry to Juan. His voice is really wonderful and even from bottom to top. Bravo him.

[@olivierpadovani6081]

Il y a un petit vibratello qui peut etre gênant mais la qualité du style et le phrasé sont remarquables

[@maracayg]

es un extraordinario cantante, quitarle méritos por sólo hacerlo es tonto

[@FoggyRoad81]

Bravo!!!!!! It is a travesty he is not on the Met's roster this year. Though based on his schedule maybe he is doing less opera to be with his two infant kids more. The world's loss.

[@MrSkylark1]

Listen to SERGE LEMESHEV for the ART of SINGING

[@FaustinaBordoni]

Rubbish!

[@tenorhandrio]

lol..

[@jgeigs]

I may piss some people off here, but I would much much rather here Larry sing than Juan Diego.

[@jasonshine9325]

he the smoothest tenor I've ever herd ... only BLACKS HAVE THIS wonderful effortlessness vibrato (Price ) you ass wholes

[@Motuproprio1]

Uma voz pouco adequada para esta ária.

[@Pablo_Olais]

El personaje no le queda.

[@philipthornton4245]

He has a beautiful voice and sings the aria very well. My only quibble is that the delivery is a bit too muscular. Too dramatic for the setting

[@ludovicpaste9951]

not bad of course the voice and technic are here but style ? and pianissimi written ? He is much better in somethingelse .

[@dubbelhenke854]

+ludovic Pasté True; he sings Donizetti much better than Mozart! There he is absolutely glorious!

[@MrAndredekock]

Bravo! Me too. Florez is very predictable and boring.

[@glb289]

Too much tremolo in the voice for my liking.

[@FaustinaBordoni]

There's a difference between tremolo and a healthy quick vibrato. What you hear in Brownlee's voice is not tremolo but a healthy quick vibrato. Of course, you're entitled to your aural preference. Regardless, Brownlee sounds just as wonderful today as he did when he began his professional operatic career 20 or so years ago.

[@SusannaBrennt]

the voice is quite good, but the interpretation is boring. as if he didn´t know what it is all about and how to sing mozart.

[@marcocito]

+SusannaBrennt Boring my a...Jealous!

[@SusannaBrennt]

+Marcel A I don´t understand your comment? are you jealous?

[@orion8835]

Both Florez and Brownlee sound like goats. Brownlee is a lot calmer to listen to and Florez is a bit more tonally exciting in Rossini etc .. but that is where they both really end. Neither of these men sound well rounded in anything further in the lyric tenor repertoire and that is just strange. The desperation to have the High C in a narrow way etc etc.. has ruined their chances at expanding as they grow older. But really both are not going to set the world on fire.And Verdi really will never happen yet alone Puccini. Which is FINE. I mean even light sopranos back in the day expanded the technique to reach some Verdi successfully. But bleat bleat bleat.. and hit High C's to get work. This was curse of the tenor training in the 1990's. Narrow, narrow. Sounding like bleated with a hyper tremolo and monochromatic sound was the result. The product now is completely boring.

[@peduzzi89]

Not all voices are meant to expand into Verdi or Puccini. Florez and Brownlee are leggiero tenors - their instruments are not meant to sound well-rounded in anything further than the lyric tenor repertoire. That's not strange, it's smart actually. They know what they're well-suited for and stick to that. If they were to try and sing heavier repertoire they would probably damage their voices. They sound exactly what voices of their type are supposed to sound like.

[@orion8835]

Yes Yes I know all of that. But you are thinking? Most in that fach DO actually sing Alfredo and Duca after like 45- 50 or so. Neither of them really have much else to offer vocally is what I was writing. Yet the hype attention of both careers is a bit over the top. Tons of can sing more than just Almaviva in that voice type. Not much more but come on ... They are just clones and it get boring. I also think both are dull in Donizetti beyond 3 roles. And both are duller than ditchwater as Nemorino. For all their hype one would think they have so much but really they do not outside a very narrow rep. Which is the way it is.

[@orion8835]

I think both of them are reliable working singers in three composers. But that is it. And to me even their work in those three whilst stable do seem to be a bit of too much hype at times. This is also strange with the bleating qualities and sometimes dullness of Brownlee. But so is everything these days it seems. The fact that Bartoli recorded NORMA is a prime example and Di Donato and her stagings of Maria Stuarda. Charming renditions enough but completely tonally absurd. I mean we never heard Battle sing Lucia or Lakme or Konstanze but we have had to endure less artists perform further and further out of their repertory and completely mismatched to their voices. WHY?

[@yourex13]

Well I am not 100% with you on this issue, but I can see your point. My question to you is who is/are or at least was/were great tenor(s) in your opinion?

[@orion8835]

Well there is the term successful and great. Both are not always interchangeable. From just the USA looking at tenors Kunde, Blake, Merrit is a good start..they all kicked it out of the park in the Rossini land. There are many Italian singers who were amazing in their day as well. Pavarotti was truly great in most Donizetti and many Bellini roles. Kraus was supreme is the Donizetti and Bellini as well. But that really is just bel canto and the late 20th C. There were a lot of working singers out there that from earlier periods that were are very enjoyable in the bel Canto rep. And currently there is less these days.