Baritone Leon Williams

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New York born American baritone Leon Williams has earned a fine reputation on several continents for his warm, rich baritone voice, his charismatic personality and his impassioned interpretation of works ranging from cantatas of Bach to hits of Broadway. He has performed in Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and the White House. An alumnus of the Harlem Boys Choir and a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, He toured for almost two years across the country in the national touring company of "Ragtime."

Passionately devoted to the art of the song, Mr.Williams has performed Brahms’ Vier ernste Gesänge with Sarah Rothenberg and the Da Camera Society of Houston (to which he returned for a special program of the music of Charles Wuorinen); an "Art of the Spiritual" program at San Francisco's Herbst Theater; an all-American program at Japan's Tochigi Music Festival and Maine's Arcady Music Festival; and given recitals in Hartford, Pittsburgh, Princeton and throughout his native New York City, including Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Hall (the songs of Richard Hundley) and the 92nd Street Y (a much-acclaimed all-Poulenc program with Michel Sénéchal and Dalton Baldwin).

He recently added two new roles to his operatic repertoire: Anthony in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (Toledo Opera) and Papageno in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (Hawaii Opera Theatre), both meeting with unanimous critical and public acclaim. A much-in-demand Porgy and Bess principal, he sang Porgy in with Yuri Temirkanov conducting the performance in St. Petersburg, Russia; Sportin' Life with Markand Thakar and the Duluth-Superior Symphony and Jake in the Dallas Opera production. Mr. Williams has won top prizes in the Naumburg, Joy-in-Singing, and Lola Wilson Hayes Competitions.

The New York Times reviewed Leon Williams' performance in the "Three Villon Balades" — "Leon Williams was outstanding — light but decisive, witty, expressive and adept with the words." The Honolulu Star-Bulletin offered "Leon Williams with his vibrant baritone and strong acting made a delightful Papgeno, stealing the focus in virtually every scene” on William’s performance in 'The Magic Flute.'"

The Art of Leon Williams His second release, featuring highlights from his 2007-2008 U.S. tour. With pianists Michael Fennelly and Vradford Ross. Songs include the classic "Moon River" and "Impossible Dream" from The Man of La Mancha. CD Price: $14.97

Handfuls Leon Williams' debut CD of gospel songs including the classics "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace", as well as Andre Crouch's "My Tribute." CD Price: $14.97

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