Performing
An active soloist in the Los Angeles area, Karen’s unique artistry has helped draw much attention to new and rarely-performed works. As recently as 2020, she collaborated with artist Doug Aiken and 5 other members of the LA Master Chorale to bring to life Aiken’s Sound Mirror, which was performed at his Mirror House just outside Gstaad, Switerland. As a winner of the Beverly Hills Recital Series, Karen premiered a song cycle by Shawn Kirchner based on the poetry of Pablo Neruda, which was performed again in June 2011 at Walt Disney Concert Hall for Grant Gershon’s prestigious Maestro Dinner. She also collaborated with pianist Lisa Edwards in 2007 to self produce an American art song recital featuring works by Copland, Hoiby, Bolcom, Rorem, and local composer JAC Redford. She also helped to originate roles in two new operas by Peter Wing Healey for the Mesopotamian Opera Company: Sybilla (The Spell of Tradition) and Jessica (The Tree) by Peter Wing Healey.
“Karen Hogle Brown not only reaches the highest notes, but also sustains them for breathtaking lengths.”
-Ventura County Star
As featured soloist, Karen has performed in modern works such as the Schnittke Symphony No. 4 with the LA Phil’s Green Umbrella series and with the Jacaranda Music Festival on works such as Avro Pärt’s Magnificat and Liszt’s Via Crucis. She has also performed several early music solos including Bach’s Magnificat with the Pacific Academy of Ecclesiastical Music (PACEM), Vivaldi’s Gloria with The Occidental Symphonia, the Messiah in Walt Disney Concert Hall for a Messiah Singalong produced by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri with Pasadena Pro Musica.
Equally at home on the operatic stage, roles include Madame Herz (The Impressario), Clorinda (La Cenerentola), Marfa (The Tsar’s Bride), The Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), the title role in La Perichole, and Corinna from Monteverdi’s Sestina as part of Long Beach Opera’s 7 Small Operas.
She is also producing and performing in new ground-breaking chamber opera with the new HERS: Music Ensemble, and recently premiered the staged/trio version of Reena Esmail’s The History of Red, and Quarantine Madrigals. For more info, CLICK HERE.
” [she] never attempts to mimic the memorable renditions of the Cole Porter classics. Each great song is punctuated with a personal touch, so the music and lyrics seem fresh and new.”
-The Beach Reporter
A great proponent of music education, Karen is heavily involved with the LA Opera’s Connects programs and has performed several roles for their outreach productions such as The Marriage of Figueroa, The Letter, and Friday Night at Hodges’ Café. She also collaborated in 2021 with the Orange County School for the Performing Arts as the Queen of the Night to give their students a chance to work alongside professional singers in their Magic Flute. Karen was a touring member of the LA Master Chorale’s Chamber singers for over 10 years bringing choral music to students all over the LA area. She is also thrilled to be a part of the Street Symphony Chamber Singers, and loves to perform in their projects bringing the healing power of music to the LA Skid Row community.