Gwendolyn Brown

In 2008, contralto Gwendolyn Brown performed the role of Maria PORGY AND BESS in Amsterdam and Brussels, and looks forward to reprising the role this season with Washington National Opera.  Of a recent concert performance of this piece at the Hollywood Bowl the LA Times described her as a "fabulously vivacious" Maria and the Tulsa World noted her debut performance as "bring[ing] a large helping of sass to the role of Maria".  Ms. Brown's 2009-2010 season includes performances with the Chicago Symphionetta and the Washington National Opera. 

In 2008, contralto Gwendolyn Brown performed the role of Maria PORGY AND BESS in Amsterdam and Brussels, and looks forward to reprising the role this season with Washington National Opera.  Of a recent concert performance of this piece at the Hollywood Bowl the LA Times described her as a "fabulously vivacious" Maria and the Tulsa World noted her debut performance as "bring[ing] a large helping of sass to the role of Maria".  Ms. Brown's 2009-2010 season includes performances with the Chicago Symphionetta and the Washington National Opera. 

In 1995, Gwendolyn Brown lent her voice to the character of the great Marion Anderson for Soul of The Game, an HBO Productions movie.  It is a fitting match, for this young singer possesses a true contralto instrument showing much the same rare quality as that of the late legendary star.  The voice is luminously rich in its dark lower tones, and continues to shimmer glowingly as Miss Brown moves throughout her range.  To hear Gwendolyn Brown "is to experience that primal thrill which comes in the presence of a singer whose fusion of soul with a vast, resonant instrument is total." (Saugerties Post Star) 

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Gwendolyn Brown obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Fisk University, Nashville, TN where she performed with the famed Fisk Jubilee Singers.  Ms. Brown pursued the Masters degree in Vocal Performance at the former Memphis State University (University of Memphis) where she received critical acclaim for her performances with the Memphis State University Opera Theater as Baba THE MEDIUM and The Mother AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS.  Her young artist development included the Des Moines Metro Opera Young Artist Program and the Ryan Center for American Artists of Lyric Opera of Chicago. 

Ms. Brown's awards include Regional Winner with the Metropolitan Opera Council in Memphis; Finalist with the Metropolitan Opera Council for the Central Region in Chicago; finalist for the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition Study Grants, semi-finalist for the New York Oratorio Society Solo Auditions and awards from Classical Singer Magazine and the National Opera Association.  She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.