Lawrence Brownlee is an American operatic tenor particularly associated with the bel canto repertoire. Describing his voice, Speight Jenkins, general director of the Seattle Opera, said: "There are other singers that sing this repertory very well, but I don?t think anyone else has quite as beautiful a sound and as rounded a tone," and praise his "incredible top notes, adding about his high F in "Credeasi, misera": "With him it?s not a scream, it?s a beautiful sound." Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato adds: ?He is always in service of the music,? she said. ?His natural instrument is just incredibly beautiful. The word ?honey? comes to mind. He also has technical prowess and agility.? [More at Wikipedia]

January 1st, 1972 in Youngstown (Age 52)