SANTA FE, NM (Top40 Charts/ Mark S. Doss Official Website) 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 Iphigenie en Tauride, which opens the 2011-2012 season.
You can connect with Mark S. Doss through his Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Mark-S-Doss/78423203990) or follow him @marksdoss on Twitter (https://twitter.com/marksdoss).
