Spotlight
Summer 2009 Back to Spotlight home page
Willliam Browning, pursuing a career in opera
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William Browning (BA 2003) doesn’t regret his choice to drop out of the world of rock and roll just after acquiring his first record label. That decision, made near the end of his undergraduate music education at ESU, allowed him to follow his dream in what he calls “the culmination of all the arts” as an operatic baritone. He has performed in countless roles with theater companies in California, New York, and locations in Europe.
“Emporia State really gave me my start. They put up with me,” Browning joked. His decision to dedicate to studying and training in opera was made at Emporia State, on guidance from several instructors in the music department. “It really started me in the right direction,” said Browning. “You never know in your twenties what you want to do with your life.” Browning credits Dr. Jim Ryan, Dr. Penny Speedie, Andrew Houchins, and Dr. Allan Comstock as ESU music and theater faculty who played an influential role in the formative years of his career.
Browning had carried an interest in music through high school, but his goals were uncertain. When Dr. Speedie had him sing a scene from La Bohème, voicing an aria in Italian was the first step that built his confidence toward the future. He also recalls his work with musicals in the ESU theatre group as critical during his undergraduate days. Browning performed in plays including Guys and Dolls, Olympus on My Mind, and Camelot, in some of which he took leading roles. Still, Browning had conflicting goals.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to sing rock or sing opera,” Browning recalled. He had published his first rock album just before graduation, but training as a professional musician is time consuming – balancing two styles simply isn’t possible. “They told me I had to make a choice,” said Browning. “I applied to a program in Italy. I sold all my guitars.” Browning followed that up with graduate work at Wichita State University and performed with companies in Wichita and San Francisco before moving to New York.
Browning eventually had the chance to perform in La Bohème again, with the Wichita Grand Opera company. It’s only one of many roles in a long list of powerful characters given life by Browning’s acting and musical accomplishment – ranging from Valentin in Faust and Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet to Yakaside in Madama Butterfly and the sergeant of police in The Pirates of Penzance. His work in New York has been highly praised by critics, who credit both his expressive voice and strong stage presence.
Browning’s commitment to his art hasn’t left him. “There’s so much discipline,” he said. “It’s tough not to have a social life.” But the art is enough; he finds a strong sense of purpose in what he does. “I just want to educate people,” said Browning. “I try to keep the dream of opera alive.” And the complexities of the art – the technical skill required of a discipline that includes stage acting, knowledge of drama, fluency in multiple languages, and voice talent – has its appeal for Browning as well. “The challenge is what keeps me doing it,” said Browning, “the challenge of what this is, honoring these composers who have been writing these things, in the best way that the composer would have wanted it. You do this because you love it so much.”
- by Dirk Mcbratney (BA 2007, MA 2009)
Browning on stage
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