POTSDAM -- The Community Performance Series will present tenor Lawrence Brownlee in concert with pianist Martin Katz Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Hosmer Concert Hall, SUNY Potsdam.

Brownlee's performance will feature songs by Poulenc, Marx and Verdi, as well as Spanish inspired folk songs and spirituals.

"There are other singers that sing this repertory very well, but I don't think anyone else has quite as beautiful a sound and as rounded a tone," said Speight Jenkins, the general director of the Seattle Opera, who went on to praise Brownlee's "incredible top notes."

A seasoned bel canto musician, Brownlee has been featured in nearly every major theater and opera house in the world. Brownlee has performed recitals at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, Tokyo, in London's Rosenblatt Series, and in other performances around the United States under the auspices of the Marilyn Horne Foundation.

He has, among other notable roles, been featured in the Metropolitan Opera's productions of "Armida" and "La Fille du Régiment."

Named the Seattle Opera's 2008 Artist of the Year, Brownlee has been honored repeatedly. Most notably, Brownlee received the Opera Company of Philadelphia's 2007 Alter Award for Artistic Excellence, and the 2006 Marian Anderson and Richard Tucker awards. He is the only artist to ever have this honor in the same year. As a new performer, he also participated in young artist programs at both the Seattle and Wolf Trap Operas.

Brownlee will be joined by pianist Martin Katz, who has become one of the world's busiest collaborators.

Marilyn Horne, Renata Tebaldi, Cesare Siepi, Evelyn Lear, Katia Ricciarelli, Tatiana Troyanos, Nicolai Gedda, Regine Crespin, Grace Bumbry, Monserrat Caballe and many others have invited Katz to share the stage in recitals on five continents.

Katz was also the recipient of the 1998 Accompanist of the Year Award from Musical America, an honor that was coined expressly for him.

Katz recently released a book, "The Complete Collaborator: The Pianist as Partner," through Oxford University Press, which was highly recommended by the Journal of Singing.

"Martin Katz must surely be considered the dean of collaborative pianists," the Los Angeles Times said.

A free pre-concert lecture will be given by Lonel Woods at 6:30 p.m.

Katz and Brownlee will each lead a masterclass with voice students from Crane Saturday, March 16. For more information on the masterclasses contact the box office.

Ticket prices range from $18 to $30 for adults, with additional discounts for students, seniors and SUNY Potsdam faculty and staff.

Tickets can be purchased at www.cpspotsdam.org or 267-2277.

Patrons may also purchase tickets at the CPS Box Office, located in the lobby of Snell Music Theater, SUNY Potsdam, or at Northern Music & Video.