Grammy Award winner Mark S. Doss returns to Chicago as soloist in Do-It-Yourself Messiah

CHICAGO, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ - Global opera star Mark S. Doss is returning to the Chicago stage for an encore performance as the bass soloist in Handel's Do-It-Yourself Messiah.  A beloved Chicago holiday tradition since 1976, this year's concert will take place on December 20 and 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

"The Do-It-Yourself Messiah is a wonderfully collaborative production that I have savored participating in over the years," says the Grammy Award-winning performer.  "It is extremely evident why Chicago takes such pride in this world-class holiday tradition."

The Do-It-Yourself Messiah brings together a world-class conductor and soloists, an all-volunteer orchestra of local professional and amateur musicians and thousands of chorus/audience in a thrilling performance of Handel's masterpiece.

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 Opera of Chicago since 1984 as well as doing concerts and recitals for the Lyric Opera Chapters.  In addition to past performances of Messiah, Mr. Doss has appeared at Lyric Opera of Chicago as Cinque in Amistad, Alidoro in La Cenerentola (Cinderella) and Escamillo in Carmen.

Mark S. Doss' performance in Chicago follows an impressive tour of Italian opera houses (many being debuts) as Jochanaan in Salome with Florence's Teatro del Maggio, the famed Arena di Verona as Escamillo in Carmen, Balstrode in Peter Grimes with Teatro Regio Torino, Jochanaan at Bologna's Teatro Comunale, Escamillo at Theatro Municipale di Salerno, and his debut at Teatro La Fenice in Venice as Premysl in Sárka.  He finished last season with Teatro Real in Madrid as Jochanaan, having opened with that role at the beginning of the season with the Deutsche Staastoper Berlin.  Upcoming engagements include Klingsor in Teatro Regio Torino's Parsifal, Amonasro in Aida with The Vienna State Opera and Méphistophélès in Faust with the Santa Fe Opera. 

Highlights of past seasons include a Verdi opera role debut at La Scala (among his many other roles there) as Amonasro in Aida, a house debut in the same role at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the title role in Boito's Mefistofele with Oper Frankfurt, Escamillo in his debut at Teatro alla Scala, the title role in Handel's Giulio Cesare with Cleveland Opera, and Mendelssohn's Elijah with the Cathedral Choral Society at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

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).  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.

CONTACT: <p><b>AND INTERVIEW REQUESTS:</b></p> <p>Adam Bello<br/> Publicity office for Mark S. Doss<br/> + 1 (416) 489-0092<br/> <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p>

SOURCE Mark S. Doss