Ā鶹ֱ²„ Alumnus Sings Figaro in Santa Fe Opera
Posted on August 12, 2021 by Micaela Pickering
Nicholas Brownlee, an alumnus of the Ā鶹ֱ²„ College of Arts and Sciences, is singing Figaro in the 2021 season production of āThe Marriage of Figaroā in the Santa Fe Opera. Brownlee majored in music performance and graduated in 2012 from Ā鶹ֱ²„.
A bass-baritone and former Santa Fe Opera apprentice singer, Brownlee replaced British baritone Ashley Riches, who is unable to travel to Santa Fe due to international travel restrictions. ā Brownlee was very excited about the opportunity.
āAs a working music professional, you quickly realize that your favorite opera is the one thatās paying the rent, but Mozart just hits differently,ā Brownlee said. āPlaying Figaro in āThe Marriage of Figaroā is like being able to climb into Rembrandtās āNight Watchā as it comes to life for four hours. Itās an immense honor and privilege to bring this piece to life and to do it at Santa Fe Opera, one of the most important opera houses in the world. This is one of the most exciting experiences of my career thus far.ā
The bass baritone has been described as ācharismatic and charmingā (New York Times) with a āhandsome mahogany toneā and a āstarry future in storeā (The New Yorker).
Brownlee was a voice student of Dr. Thomas L. Rowell, who serves as graduate coordinator in Music, coordinator of vocal studies, and director of the USA Opera Theatre. When Brownlee first came to Ā鶹ֱ²„ as a freshman, Rowell knew that he had a voice student that would go incredibly far as a performer. Brownlee was pretty reluctant at first in considering a career path as an opera singer. He wanted to be a choral director, but soon changed his mind when he became involved in productions at Ā鶹ֱ²„ and with the Mobile Opera.
āBrownleeās entire experience boiled down to his teachability, and that is the one trait he possessed in such measure that no matter how intense things got, his ability to rein himself in and be taught always made the difference,ā Rowell said. āThere is so much more that I could say about watching him grow through those years of learning the ropes of how to sing and be in āthe businessā as we call it, but suffice to say that it was a great adventure full of wonderful memories.ā
Rowell was the first voice teacher that Brownlee ever had. Brownlee gives credit for where he is today to Rowell.
āI still remain in contact with a ton of faculty from my time at Ā鶹ֱ²„, but I am proud to call Dr. Thomas Rowell, who was my first voice teacher ever, a great friend,ā Brownlee said. āHe is, without a doubt, the reason I am an opera singer today. He sparked my interest in it, and after some serious convincingāthank God heās as persuasive as I am stubbornāI was standing on stage in La Traviata at Mobile Opera...and the rest is history. Itās also worth mentioning, he married my wife and I, and so far, so good.ā
In addition, Brownlee sang in both of Dr. Laure Mooreās choirs and the opera theater programs. while a student at Ā鶹ֱ²„. He always took every opportunity that he could to sing in recitals, masterclass or with the Mobile Opera.
āI was fortunate to be able to accompany him in both of his student recitals as well as his first appearance at the Metropolitan Opera District Auditions, and it made me proud that he was constantly learning and refining his craft,ā said Dr. Laura Moore, who serves as chair of the Music Department and director of choral activities. āThe department is very proud of him and his accomplishments, and are extremely thankful that he is returning his gifts to Ā鶹ֱ²„ in the form of coaching, masterclasses and benefit recitals for current students.ā
Brownlee enjoyed his experience at Ā鶹ֱ²„ for many reasons, including his classmates and mentorship from the faculty.
āI deeply enjoyed my time at Ā鶹ֱ²„," Brownlee said. "The Laidlaw Performing Arts Center became a second home to me...sometimes literally. My classmates became a second family. The patience, mentorship and high level of performing among the faculty was also something that made my time at Ā鶹ֱ²„ so special. The further I get away from my time at Ā鶹ֱ²„, the more I realize how special of an experience it was. I think thatās a sign of a great period in one's life. I exclusively have fond, cherished memories from my time at USA.ā