Tenor Stephen Mark Brown returns to South in MADAME BUTTERFLY
3/22/10
MidSouth Local Stars as Pinkerton
in Upcoming Opera Memphis Production
of Puccini’s MADAME BUTTERFLY
Opera Memphis’ production of Puccini’s classic MADAME BUTTERFLY will feature Harding University graduate and internationally acclaimed tenor Stephen Mark Brown as Pinkerton, Butterfly’s American military husband. Born in Lansing, Michigan, Stephen Mark Brown grew up in Searcy, Arkansas where he received a Bachelor’s Degree from Harding University. He continued his studies at Indiana University, where he received his Master’s Degree before taking the opera world by storm.
Brown first attracted national attention in 1992 as a winner of the Opera Company of Philadelphia / Luciano Pavarotti Competition. The honor was followed by a performance on “Live from Lincoln Center” in “Pavarotti Plus.” Brown’s debut with New York City Opera in 1994 earned him the title of “Debut Artist of the Year”. The honor led to his return to New York City Opera in LA BOHEME and in an Emmy Award-winning production of LA TRAVIATA, also televised on “Live From Lincoln Center.” With credits at companies such as Palm Beach Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy, Stephen Mark Brown has proven to be adept at both opera and concert work and enjoys teaching master classes in universities and conservatories around the world.
Although he has sung around the world at many famous opera houses, Stephen Mark Brown says he owes his success to his education in Arkansas. “I was removed from the baritone section at Harding by Dr. Kenneth Davis, who was my first voice teacher. Dr Davis (Uncle Bud as we called him) was convinced that as my voice matured I would become a tenor, and I credit his insight for keeping my voice healthy and giving me a great foundation to becoming a professional opera tenor.”
Opera Memphis’ MADAME BUTTERFLY will be performed at the Orpheum Theatre at 203 South Main Street in downtown Memphis, Tennessee on April 17 and 20 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at 901.257.3100 from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday or any time at operamemphis.org.
To read an interview with Stephen Mark Brown conducted by Opera Memphis’ General and Artistic Director Michael Ching, please visit www.operamemphis.org/featured.cfm.
