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Reviews

Reviews for Mark S. Doss as Germont at WNO

Mark S. Doss is currently receiving acclaim as Germont in Verdi’s “La traviata” at the Welsh National Opera. Read here below what the press has to say:

“Mark S Doss was impressive as Alfredo’s father, Giorgio”

Terry Canty, Rhyl Journal

“The three leads are truly outstanding, with deep, passionate performances from each of them.”

“Mark sang Georgio Germont, Alfredo’s father. From the moment he entered the stage you were taken by his impressive presence and incredible baritone voice. It is warm and rich and is the perfect tone for a man attempting to dominate his son’s relationship with Violetta with his own misguided superiority.”

South Wales Life

“A strong impression is also made by American Mark S. Doss as Alfredo’s father Giorgio, who provides gravity and pathos, and whose character serves to highlight the theme of moral hypocrisy.”

Shaun Tougher, Art Scene in Wales

“Equally strong performances come from the rest of the cast,(…) and possibly most of all of Mark S. Doss as Giorgio Germont; his nuanced presentation of what can easily be a deeply unsympathetic character is coupled with impressive technical precision, and well deserving of the enthusiastic applause it received.”

Chiara Strazzulla, Opera Scene

“That commitment is on display in spades in Act 2, where the tension ramps up as Violetta is confronted by Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont. The role of Germont is played superbly in this production by Mark S Doss who manages to capture both the torment of a father who is torn between his two children, and the arrogance of a man who is so clearly used to getting his own way, no matter what the cost to others. The fraught exchange between Violetta and Germont is one of the highlights of the production, played out against the backdrop of Violetta’s increasing fears about her health.”

Emma Schofield, Wales Arts Review

“….there are also beautiful soft tones and an acute feeling for situation. I like the touch of his only removing his hat in Violetta’s drawing-room when he recognises her true nature: no doubt a director’s idea, but part of a portrait very well drawn by the singer”

Stephen Walsh, The Arts Desk

“…(…) Mark S. Doss, his tense, inhibited Giorgio Germont fits the dramatic bill expertly.”

George Hall, The Stage

“As his father, Germont, Mark S Doss brings dignity and eventual compassion to this difficult role, virtually ordering Violetta to save Alfredo’s reputation by renouncing him, but finally remorseful at the sacrifice this dying woman has made.”

Christopher Morley, Midland Music Reviews

“The role of Alfred’s father Giorgio Germont is demanding in that Germont senior is an unsympathetic character (particularly so in today’s mores) and is sung here by Mark S Doss’s, whose baritone strengthens as it reaches the finale.”

Barbara Michaels, The Reviews Hub

“Mark S Doss delivers gravitas and parental authority as Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father. His commanding, but gentle, presence serves to underline the morality tale at the heart of Verdi’s work.”

Leo Greenway, South Wales Argus

“She is stronger in the second act with Mark S Doss, playing Alfredo’s father Giorgio Germont, and the final dying scene. Mark S Doss has a beautiful baritone voice. He gives an excellent performance.”

Eva Marloes, Get The Chance Wales

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Interviews News

Interview “Opera Now” with Mark S. Doss

October 2023

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/opera-now/features/article/one-of-the-judges-said-i-should-make-up-my-mind-or-i-d-never-have-a-career-mark-s-doss-interview?fbclid=IwAR2SnspRz9JFmgd3bvdyBGuMaPinJed9_5uE-aOt8nI5D-61zMXI2SKNxVQ

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Interviews

Interview “Arts Scene in Wales” and “ Opera Scene”

On the occasion of his Giorgio Germont in “La traviata” at the Welsh National Opera, Mark S. Doss was interviewed by “Arts Scene in Wales”, a detailed and most interesting interview that was also published on “Opera Scene UK”:

https://operascene.co.uk/interviews/mark-doss-talks-about-his-career-and-singing-giorgio-germont-in-la-traviata-with-welsh-national-opera/

https://www.asiw.co.uk/my-own-words/baritone-mark-doss-i-enjoy-sane-productions-wno-la-traviata?fbclid=IwAR3PTLop5gCArSw1RH8W2rFBLu3aK2Zcet-jbRfzNCXR9MfmegszLH8aNUI

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News

LA TRAVIATA at the Welsh National Opera

On September 21, 2023, Mark S. Doss will sing the role of Giorgio Germont in La traviata, at the Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff for the Welsh National Opera. Alexander Joel leads the David McVicar production. There will be a total of fifteen performances through November 25, touring towns such as Llandudno, Bristol, Plymouth, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, and Southampton.
The American Canadian bass-baritone, who has already sung the role of Germont in Hyogo, Japan, is a familiar name to the audiences of the Welsh National Opera, having already been greeted as Scarpia in Tosca and in the title role of Rigoletto, receiving rave reviews on both occasions.

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Interviews

Classical Singer Magazine cover interview

Mark S. Doss is gracing the cover of Classical Singer Magazine’s July/August Summer Issue 2023. In the interview with Brian Manternach, he touches on many issues, including the beginnings of his career, and his role models, with a special focus on his wide-ranging repertoire encompassing both true baritone and bass roles.
You can read the online version of the feature by clicking on the image of the magazine cover here below.

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News

New album out on Cedille label

On July 14 Cedille Records releases Mark S. Doss’s latest CD entitled “Welcome To My World”. Accompanied by pianist Ken Smith, the American bass-baritone sings twenty-one selections including operatic arias, lieder, Neapolitan songs, excerpts from musicals, and spirituals, ranging from Handel to living composers.
You may purchase the CD digitally or physically by clicking on the image of the CD cover here below. On that link, you’ll also find more information and the complete list of the pieces.

Categories
Interviews

Interview Musicandosite

On the occasion of his participation as bass soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in St. Mark’s Square in Venice as part of the symphonic season of the Teatro La Fenice, Mark S. Doss was interviewed by the Italian magazine “Musicandosite”:

Categories
Reviews

Press review Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in Venice


“The four soloists engaged (soprano Federica Lombardi, tenor Michael
Schade, mezzo-soprano Veronica Simeoni, and bass Mark Steven Doss) did
their best: very successful was the famous recitative with which the vocal
section of the last movement of the Symphony opens, articulated with great
incisiveness and effectiveness by the American bass…)”
Stefano Pagliantini, Musica

“Bass Mark S. Doss introduces the Ode to Joy with a solid vocal production.”
Luca Benvenuti, Non Solo Cinema

“Of good level were the four soloists starting with bass Mark S.Doss,
vigorous, luminous vocality, and elegant phrasing…”
Alessandro Arnoldo, Artes News

“Vocally, Federica Lombardi, Veronica Simeoni, Michael Schade, and Mark S.
Doss were impressive.”
Monika Wogrolly, Living Culture

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News

Beethoven’s 9th at St. Mark’s Square Venice

On July 8, Mark S. Doss sings the bass soloist part in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at the St. Mark’s Square in Venice, as part of the season of the Teatro La Fenice.

The huge open air event will be live telecast on RAI5 and live broadcast on RAI Radio 3.

Juraj Valčuha leads the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice and a cast that also includes soprano Federica Lombardi, mezzo-soprano Veronica Simeoni and tenor Michael Schade. 

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Uncategorized

Press review “From the House of the Dead” in Rome

Mark S. Doss just completed a run of Janaček’s “Z mrtvého domu” (From the House of the Dead) at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. Please see below what the press said about his performances as the protagonist Aleksandr Petrovič Gorjančikov:

“Mark S. Doss has a burnished, penetrating voice, vibrant to such an extent as to lend a certain amount of philosophical depth: the role of Gorjančikov, the political prisoner who will be freed at the end of the opera, is a perfect fit for him.”
Stefano Ceccarelli, L’Ape Musicale

“…to the very noble stage and vocal stature of the freshly arrived political convict (the aristocratic Alexandr Petrovič Gorjančikov), greeted with a hundred strokes of the whip and magnificently interpreted with his outstanding artistic quality by bass-baritone Mark S. Doss, back on the same stage after Hans Werner Henze’s The Bassarids in 2014.”
Paola De Simone, Connessi all’Opera

“The anticipation for Mark S. Doss as Alexandr Petrovič Gorjančikov was repaid by an outstanding stage presence.”
Eleonora Cipolla, Opera Libera

“The cast was excellent, above all the American bass-baritone Mark S. Doss as Aleksandr Petrovič Gorjančikov…”
Luca Della Libera, Il Messaggero

“Next to Warlikowski and Matvienko there is an international cast where the bass-baritone Mark S. Doss, back to Rome after Hans Werner Henze’s The Bassarids in 2014, stands out as Aleksandr Petrovič Gorjančikov…”
Daniele Valentino, La Lanterna

“And everyone in the cast is up to the task.
Starting from Mark S. Doss’s self-restrained Gorjančikov…”
Dino Villatico, Il Manifesto

“It would be necessary to cite all of the latter because they proved to be perfect singer-actors, but for reasons of space it will be necessary to limit ourselves to Mark S. Doss (Gorianchikov),…”
Mauro Mariani, Ópera Actual

“Mark S. Doss skillfully handled the role of the the pensive “political prisoner” Gorjančikov”
Michelangelo Pecoraro, Opera Click

“Janacek’s intention is to give us an idea of the inhumanity of such a prison system and together show the humanity of many convicts and, to do so, he tells about the imprisonment of Alexandr Petrovich Goriancikov (to whom Mark S. Doss gives substance and voice) …”
Paolo Petroni, Succede Oggi

“Excellent in their roles were the baritones Mark S. Doss (the aristocratic fallen into disgrace)…”
Tiziano Virgili, Opera Gazet

“The interpretation is vigorous yet precise and attentive to detail and seeks to balance the volume of the orchestral pit with the voices on stage – voices of great caliber for most of the many performers. Like the noble Mark S. Doss, playing the aristocrat imprisoned for his political ideas, who preserves his humanity by teaching young Tartar Aljeja (Pascal Charbonneau) to read.”
Renato Verga, Prèmiere Loge

“…with the voices on stage, voices of great level for all the numerous interpreters. Like the noble Mark S. Doss, the aristocratic imprisoned for his political ideas who preserves his humanity by teaching the young Tatar Aljeja how to read…”
Opera in casa blog

“In the large and excellent cast we must limit ourselves to singling out those whose parts emerged from the choral background of the group: Mark S. Doss…”
Mauro Mariani, Il Giornale della Musica

“…and the large and impeccable cast.
In which at least the performers of the principal roles should be mentioned: Mark S. Doss”
Francesco Arturo Saponaro, Music Paper