Mark Delavan

Vocalists — Baritone

Manager: William G. Guerri
Management Territory: Worldwide

"Baritone Mark Delavan, who will sing his first career Wotan throughout the cycle, offered a rough first draft of what I'm convinced will eventually coalesce into an interpretation of major importance. His singing is robust and commanding, marked by power, effortless precision and excellent diction, and he made the audience feel Wotan's ethical struggles." —Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle - June 2008

"In his long-overdue company debut in his signature role of Iago, American baritone Mark Delavan serves as dramatic focus, from his first dark, poison-tipped tones onward and downward." —-Alan Rich, Variety- February 2008

"Mark Delavan’s edgy baritone lent magnificent menace to Iago...." —-Allan Ulrich, Financial Times- February 2008

About

Press agent: Laura Grant, (978) 208-0552, lgrant11@comcast.net

A charismatic vocal force, American baritone Mark Delavan is sought after by opera houses throughout the United States and abroad for his dramatic, powerful voice, daring performances and commanding stage presence. A versatile artist respected for his musical depth, Mr. Delavan’s repertoire spans over 40 roles, including the title roles of Falstaff, Rigoletto, Der Fliegende Holländer, Gianni Schicchi, Simon Boccanegra and Sweeney Todd, as well as such signature roles as Iago, . . . Gerard, Scarpia, Jochanaan, Germont and Amonasro. He has collaborated with such conductors as James Levine, James Conlon, Sir Andrew Davis, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Charles Mackerras, Zubin Mehta, Donald Runnicles, Michael Tilson Thomas, Antonio Pappano and Fabio Luisi. Hailed by The New York Times as “impressive…a remarkable singer,” his captivating persona onstage has been likewise praised, as noted by Opera Magazine “…Mark Delavan … commands attention even when he stands still.”

This June 2008, Mr. Delavan made his role debut as Wotan in San Francisco Opera’s new production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold conducted by Donald Runnicles and directed by Francesca Zambello. The production launched San Francisco Opera’s new Ring Cycle in which Mr. Delavan will appear in all three Wotan roles (Das Rheingold, Die Walküre and Siegfried) from 2008-2011.

Mr. Delavan’s 2008-09 season begins with performances as Michele in Il tabarro in the Los Angeles Opera’s season opening new production of Puccini’s Il Trittico, conducted by James Conlon and staged by Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin, beginning with the Gala Opening Weekend performance on September 6 and running through September 26, 2008. Appearances at The Metropolitan Opera as Tomsky in Tchaikovsky’s Pique Dame, conducted by Seiji Ozawa, follow in November and December. In early 2009, Mr. Delavan returns to the Lyric Opera of Chicago to perform the roles of Alfio and Tonio in Cavalleria rusticana/I pagliacci, conducted by Renato Palumbo (February and March). He reprises one of his signature roles, The Dutchman, in Atlanta Opera’s spring production of Wagner’s Die Fliegende Holländer in April and May. Mr. Delavan then travels to Barcelona, Spain for June performances as Jochanaan in Strauss’ Salome at the Gran Teatre del Licieu.

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