Mark Delavan

Vocalists — Baritone

Manager: Damon Bristo
Management Territory: Worldwide

“The baritone Mark Delavan’s Gianciotto — barbarous, yet seemingly genuine in his affection for Francesca — was the evening’s prize portrayal.” —Steve Smith, New York Times, March 6, 2013 - Gianciotto in 'Francesca da Rimini' at the Metropolitan Opera

“The ferocity of Racette's performance was well matched by that of baritone Mark Delavan as Scarpia, in an interpretation that went well beyond cartoon impressions of lechery to hint at the dark obsessiveness informing the character's behavior. In his extended soliloquy at the start of Act 2, Delavan let loose with superbly open-throated phrasing, as though Scarpia's very compulsions were forcing their way into the open.” —Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, November 18, 2012 - Scarpia in 'Tosca' at San Francisco Opera

“The range of emotions Mr. Delavan can communicate with his half-divine, half-human voice appears limitless.” —David Littlejohn, Wall Street Journal - Wotan in 'Die Walküre' at San Francisco Opera

About

A singer of “incisive vocal power and fierce theatrical acuity”, Mark Delavan is sought after throughout the United States and Europe for the most demanding roles in his repertoire. He regularly appears in the title roles of “Der Fliegende Holländer”, “Falstaff” and “Rigoletto”, and as Iago in “Otello”, Scarpia in “Tosca”, Jochanaan in “Salome”, and Amonasro in “Aida”. In the summer of 2011, Mr. Delavan completed his first performances as Wotan/Wanderer in Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen” for San Francisco Opera’s new production by Francesca Zambello. . . . The San Francisco Examiner said, “A great new Wotan has arrived. Mark Delavan is both majestic and heartbreakingly human. His acting, diction and warm, broad voice impress throughout…When he stumbles under the weight of his sorrow, when he spits out words of anger, Delavan joins the historic line of Wotans to remember.”

In the 2012/13 season, Mr. Delavan continues his performances of Wotan/Wanderer for The Metropolitan Opera in Robert LePage’s production of “Der Ring des Nibelungen”. He will also be heard at the Met as Gianciotto in Zandonai’s “Francesca da Rimini”. Additional performances for Mr. Delavan include the title role in “Rigoletto” for Pittsburgh Opera and Scarpia in “Tosca” for San Francisco Opera.

Last season, Mr. Delavan was heard as Wotan for Deutsche Oper Berlin, in performances of “Das Rheingold” and “Siegfried” with Donald Runnicles. He was heard as Scarpia in performances for the Canadian Opera Company and Pittsburgh Opera, and returned to Santa Fe Opera as Mandryka in a new production of “Arabella”. In the previous season, Mr. Delavan expanded his repertoire, adding the roles of Jupiter in “Die Liebe der Danae” for Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Renato in “Un ballo in Maschera” for Lyric Opera of Chicago. He was also heard as Iago for Deutsche Oper Berlin and Opera Company of Philadelphia. In the 2009 – 2010 season, he was heard as Jack Rance in “La Fanciulla del West” for Den Jyske Opera, Jochanaan for Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, Falstaff for Pittsburgh Opera, and Amonasro for Atlanta Opera. Also that season, he was featured as Wotan in “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre”, and as Scarpia, all with Deutsche Oper Berlin, as Jochannan in concert for the Prague State Opera, and in his first performances as Wotan in Die Walküre for San Francisco Opera.

Among his operatic credits Mark Delavan counts numerous opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Berliner Staatsoper, Bayerische Staatsoper, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera and Washington National Opera, to name a few. He has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall, and his festival credits include the BBC Proms, Edinburgh Festival (UK), Britten Festival (Italy), Spoleto Festival, U.S.A., the Metropolitan Opera’s Concerts in the Park, and the Saito Kinen Festival (Japan), among others.

At the Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Delavan has earned public and critical acclaim for his company debut as Amonasro in “Aida”. He has also sung the title roles of Simon Boccanegra and Nabucco, and has appeared as Scarpia, Tomsky in “Pique Dame”, Alfio in “Cavalleria Rusticana”, Carlo in “La Forza del Destino” and as Gerard in a major revival of “Andrea Chenier”.

(Updated May 2013)

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