CHICAGO, IL. (Top40 Charts) World renowned opera star Mark S. Doss is returning as the bass soloist in Chicago's holiday tradition, Handel's Do-It-Yourself Messiah. Celebrating its 36th year, performances will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012 and Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Harris Theatre in Chicago's famous
Millennium Park.
"The Do-It-Yourself Messiah creates a magical start to my holiday season," says the Grammy Award winning bass-baritone. "It is an honor to be invited back year-after-year as I share the stage with such an incredibly talented conductor, soloists, and volunteer orchestra musicians. Chicago's holiday tradition of performing the Do-It-Yourself Messiah has become a holiday tradition of mine as well."
Chicago is proud to think of Mark S. Doss as one of its own. After studying at
Indiana University with Walter Cassel and Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, he became an apprentice artist with the
Santa Fe Opera, which led to him becoming a member of what was formerly known as Chicago's Lyric Opera Center for American Artists. He has since delighted
Chicago audiences for more than a quarter century, including performances in 10 seasons at Lyric, most notably singing the roles of Alidoro in La Cenerentola (Cinderella), Cinque in Amistad, and Escamillo in Carmen. In addition to past performances of Messiah, Mr. Doss was also featured with the
Chicago Symphony in the title role of Anthony Davis' opera X (The Life and Times of Malcolm X).
Following the Do-It-Yourself Messiah in Chicago, Mr. Doss will kick-off the New Year by performing in a double bill of Janacek's Sarka and Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana in the roles of Premysl and Alfio at the Teatro de La Maestranza in Seville, Spain, followed by the title role in the Teatro Comunale di Bologna's production of The Flying Dutchman (March), Amonasro in Aida at the San
Diego Opera (April), and The Four Villains in The Tales of
Hoffmann with Tokyo's New
National Theatre Foundation (November).
You can connect with Mark S. Doss through his Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Mark-S-Doss/78423203990), Google+ (https://plus.google.com/u/0/114847006736802038176), or follow him @marksdoss on Twitter (https://twitter.com/marksdoss).
ABOUT THE DO-IT-YOURSELF MESSIAH
Originally intended as an Easter oratorio, Handel's Messiah tells the story of Jesus' birth and life. Over the years, however, it has become more popularly associated with Christmas. The "do-it-yourself" idea was born at a small church in rural England more than 30 years ago and was first staged in
Chicago in 1976. Audience members are seated according to voice range (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and sing with a full orchestra and four soloists.
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), and numerous engagements with the famous Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. Mr. Doss 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.
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