Lawrence Brownlee shows race no hurdle to his career: ‘I am just Larry’ _ with vocal fireworks

Tenor Brownlee shows race no hurdle to his career

NEW YORK — Never mind singing a high C. Tenor Lawrence Brownlee keeps climbing the musical alphabet — tossing off D’s, E’s and even high F’s as he tours the world.

On Saturday at the Metropolitan Opera, the 37-year-old Ohio native is going for just the high C’s and a few D’s. The show will be beamed live to more than 7 million people on radio and at movie theaters in 44 countries.

His co-star in Rossini’s opera “Armida” is soprano Renee Fleming.

Brownlee has faced bigotry on his way up as a black man. Even in 21st century America, agents have told him his race might be a hurdle to a career. But he says that once Italy’s famed La Scala hired him, a second-tier U.S company that had rejected him wanted him back.

Now what counts is his rich, brilliant voice. Plus a Facebook page that says, “I am just Larry.”