Mark S. Doss celebrates 25 years as Mephistopheles in Santa Fe Opera's Faust

Mark S. Doss celebrates 25 years as Mephistopheles in Santa Fe Opera's Faust

SANTA FE, NM, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - In July and August, global opera star
Mark Steven Doss will once again portray Mephistopheles when he takes
the stage for the Santa Fe Opera's first-ever production of Faust.  Reprising Charles Gounod's demonic villain for his seventh
production, which will bring his career performances to 40, it is a
role that he continues to savor.

"Mephistopheles is a physically demanding role, which requires me to be
on stage throughout most of the production, and I enjoy it immensely,"
says Mr. Doss, who is a Grammy Award winning bass-baritone and former
Santa Fe Opera apprentice.  "I continue to build on each of my previous
performances to further reveal the power and pain of the fallen angel."

In a career spanning more than 25 years, Mr. Doss' portrayal of
Mephistopheles has brought him to the stage of many leading opera
houses and to overwhelming critical acclaim. The Financial Times wrote,
"Doss plays the Devil with relish - the voice dark and charged, the
figure all demonic dash." Another performance review pronounced that,
"Doss does make the opera go round. Devilishly handsome and an imposing
figure, his strength of interpretation and his powerful bass enliven
his every moment in the spotlight."

His path to the signature role of Mephistopheles came unexpectedly
during his studies to become a man of the collar. Taking musical
courses when entering seminary studies to aid in his aspirations for
the priesthood, Mr. Doss' vocal talents and love for opera emerged.  It
was at this time that he decided instead to become a man of the stage.

Mr. Doss' first performance as Mephistopheles was in Indiana
University's production of Faust when studying at the Jacobs School of Music. The experience whet his
appetite for the world of professional opera and fueled his passion for
the demonic role for decades to come.

"I gave the role everything I had when I first sang it, but I was given
more credit for my dramatic presentation than for what I could do
vocally.  The cover of the Indiana University recruiting brochure had
my picture on it for many years, showing me singing the Calf of Gold
aria, with choristers shielding their eyes from me as the
leather-wearing, table-mounting devil.  I'm excited to say my voice has
since caught up with my dramatic presentation," says Doss.

Mr. Doss will take the stage as Mephistopheles in Santa Fe on July 1, 6,
9, 15 as well as August 1, 8, 15, 20, 24 and 27, 2011.

Following his work in Santa Fe, Mr. Doss will return to Toronto, Ontario
to star as Thoas in the Canadian Opera Company's Iphigénie en Tauride, which opens the 2011-2012 season.

You can connect with Mark S. Doss through his Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Mark-S-Doss/78423203990) or follow him @marksdoss on Twitter (http://twitter.com/marksdoss).

ABOUT MARK S. DOSS:

Mark S. Doss is a celebrated bass-baritone whose accomplishments include
a Grammy Award (1993) for his work on the recording of Semele (Handel).  He began his musical studies to aid in his ambitions to
become a Catholic priest but instead found opera to be his true
calling. He has since emerged as one of the opera world's leading
singers.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND INTERVIEW REQUESTS:
Adam Bello
Publicity office for Mark S. Doss
+ 1 (416) 489-0092
media@marksdoss.com
www.marksdoss.com

SOURCE Mark S. Doss

Mark S. Doss

CONTACT: FURTHER INFORMATION AND INTERVIEW REQUESTS:
Adam Bello
Publicity office for Mark S. Doss
+ 1 (416) 489-0092
media@marksdoss.com
www.marksdoss.com

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