Alison Browner facts for kids

Alison Margaret Browner (born on September 22, 1957) is a talented mezzo-soprano opera singer from Ireland. A mezzo-soprano is a type of female singing voice that is lower than a soprano but higher than a contralto. Alison has performed in many famous opera houses around the world.

About Alison Browner's Early Life

Alison Browner was born in Dublin, Ireland. She studied music at Trinity College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. At the same time, she also learned singing and violin at the College of Music. This school is now called the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama.

Later, Alison received a special scholarship. This scholarship, from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), allowed her to study in Germany. She went to the Hamburg Academy of Music. There, she finished her studies with a recital and concert diploma. She even studied with the famous singer Hans Hotter.

Alison is married to Wilhelm Gries. Her married name is Alison Gries. She lives in Limburg an der Lahn, Germany.

Alison Browner's Singing Career

Alison Browner's career as an opera singer started at the Opera Studio of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. She also worked at the Staatstheater Darmstadt. She continued to work with Hans Hotter there.

In 1987, Alison became a member of the National Theatre Mannheim. She sang in famous operas like Richard Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. She also performed the main role in Der Rosenkavalier. She was known for her roles in operas by Mozart and Rossini.

Her big international success happened at London's Royal Opera House. She sang the main role in Rossini's La Cenerentola. After this, she performed in many other major opera houses. These included La Monnaie in Brussels and the Vlaamse Opera in Antwerp and Ghent. She also performed at the Salzburg Festival under the famous conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

Beyond Opera: Concerts and Recitals

Besides opera, Alison Browner also loves to perform in concerts and recitals. A recital is a musical performance given by one or two performers. In recent years, she has sung in many big oratorios. Oratorios are large musical works for voices and orchestra, usually based on religious stories. She has also given many recitals across Europe and other countries.

Alison has had great success with a wide range of music. She has worked with famous groups and conductors. These include Philippe Herreweghe, Eric Ericson and his chamber choir, and the Concerto Köln.

She has also sung many concerts with the Limburger Domsingknaben. This is a boys' choir where her husband, Wilhelm Gries, works. He is a vocal coach, assistant choir director, and conductor for the choir.

Alison Browner's singing covers many different time periods in music. She sings works from the Baroque period, like Bach and Handel. She also performs classical pieces by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Her repertoire includes Romantic music by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Schubert, and Strauss. She even sings modern works by Schoenberg and Boulez.

Alison Browner's Recordings

Alison Browner has recorded many musical works. These recordings include famous pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach. For example, she has recorded his Cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147. She also recorded Bach's St John Passion, BWV 245. Another notable recording is Bach's Mass in B minor, BWV 232. She has also recorded Joseph Haydn's Missa in Angustiis, also known as the Nelson Mass. These recordings often feature other talented singers and musicians.