Mark Walters

Germont - La Traviata - Den Nye Opera - Bergen, Norway

"Mark Walters, on the other hand, was distinct and effective as Giorgio Germont, both his voice and stage deportment were first class."
- Bergens Tidende June 25, 2010

Escamillo - Carmen - Florida Grand Opera

"As Escamillo, Mark Walters was every bit the toreador, from his red knee-high stockings to the black tight pants and vest to the slicked-back black hair. His song was heroic"
- Opera News Robert Carreras, April 24, 2010

"Baritone Mark Walters, whose Enrico was a highlight of Florida Grand's recent production of Lucia di Lammermoor, played the role of the toreador Escamillo with the assurance of a man with everything Don Jose lacked. His Toreador Song was dramatic but never swaggering, as he recounted the excitement of the bull ring with an impressive, deep baritone that carried effortlessly over the orchestra."
- Miami Herold April 25, 2010

"Mark Walters was a delightfully swaggering Escamillo, with an electric bass-baritone that trumpeted the toreador song with an infectious brio."
- Sun Sentinel April 26, 2010

Enrico - Lucia di Lammermoor - Florida Grand Opera
“Mark Walters' Enrico was a force to be reckoned with, a Viking in kilts with voice to match.”
- Opera News April, 2010

Enrico - Lucia di Lammermoor - Florida Grand Opera
"As Enrico, baritone Mark Walters was the finest actor of the night as he portrayed a frantic man willing to do anything to save himself. His strong, well-centered voice brought dread and fury to the first act aria Cruda funesta smania...he brought drama to the opera."
- The Miami Herald January 25, 2010

Enrico - Lucia di Lammermoor - Florida Grand Opera
"El barítono Mark Walters hizo un magnífico Lord Enrique Ashton cuya calidad se vio desde la cavatina “cruda funesta smania” y su segunda parte “la oieta de in suo favore”. Voz potente, bien timbrada, igualada en todos los registros, completa su personalidad artística con un evidente dominio escénico."

"Baritone Mark Walters made a magnificent Lord Henry Ashton, whose quality was seen in the cavatina "cruda funesta smania" and its sequel "la pieta de in suo favore." With a powerful voice, well modulated and matched in all registers, he rounded out his artistic personality with his evident acting mastery."
- Diario Las Americas January 28, 2010

Faust – Valentin – Opera Memphis
“Mark Walters, as Marguerite's brother Valentin, received the biggest applause of the evening, after the astounding prayer to his sister.”
- Memphis Commercial Appeal April 27, 2009

Le nozze di Figaro – Count – Piedmont Opera
“Three of the male characters stood out because of the unusually strong and well-rounded quality of their vocalism and vivid characterizations. Baritone Mark Waters, as Count Almaviva, made an unusually strong adversary for his servants. His considerable stage presence was combined with a solidly supported voice that had a lovely warm tone. Highlights were his flirtatious duet with Susana, ‘Crudel, perchè finora’ and his vexed aria ‘Vedrò mentr'io sospiro’”
- Classical Voice of North Carolina April 5, 2009

La traviata – Germont – Florida Grand Opera
"As Germont, Mark Walters on the other hand was all gain. Walters made a tall, dignified presence, conveying bourgeois respectability, and wielded his ample baritone with elegance and style in a nicely rendered Di Provenza il mar"
- South Florida Classical Review November 26, 2008

Il barbiere di Siviglia - Figaro - Nevada Opera
"I don’t know where Borowitz found Mark Walters, the production’s Figaro, but I know where he’s going and that’s straight to the top. This glorious young man with the glorious multi-colored and beautifully manipulated voice is a terrific Figaro. His big number, “Largo al factotum” (“I am the Barber of Seville”), is a showstopper. Walters is worth several prices of admission. Smart opera shoppers will do well to fork out at Nevada Opera prices before they’re confronted with what the “Met” charges. Walters is a standout!"
- Jack Neal’s Master Reviews October 2, 2008

HMS Pinafore – Captain Corcoran – Nashville Opera
“In many ways, the heart of H.M.S. Pinafore belonged to baritone Mark Walters as Corcoran and mezzo-soprano Melissa Parks as Buttercup. These two characters deftly balance the mix of comedy, seriousness and romance in Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, and Walters delivered the evening's most lovely moment with the Act 2-opening number "Fair Moon to Thee I Sing."
- The Tennessean January 27, 2008

Le Nozze di Figaro – Count Almaviva – Opera Southwest
“The cast throughout is impressive and Walters brings to the role a marvelous self-centered sense of entitlement to any woman who suits his fancy.”
- Albuquerque Journal October 15, 2007

La forza del destino – Don Carlo – Da Corneto Opera
“As Don Carlo, baritone Mark Walters generated vocal fury”
- Chicago Sun Times April 19, 2007

Carmen – Escamillo – Opera Memphis
“Mark Walters (Escamillo) gave a resonant, manly performance as the competing lover.”
- The Memphis Commercial Appeal March 27, 2007

The Most Happy Fella – Joe – Utah Festival Opera
“Mark Walters is outstanding as Joe, Tony's foreman on the farm, who gets mixed up in Tony's new love life. Walters is as solid as a new pair of Western boots and patrons find themselves wishing he had more stage time to show off his excellent baritone.”
- The Utah Statesman August 9, 2007

La Bohème – Marcello – Utah Festival Opera
“Marcello, played with rich intensity by Mark Walters and his baritone tones, seem to be the type that could fall in love at the drop of an octave.”
- The Utah Statesman August 12, 2006

The Pirates of Penzance – Pirate King – Nevada Opera
“Mark Walters plays the Pirate King with narcissistic swagger, and shows off his powerful voice and physical agility with a quirky sense of humor that sets the tone for a production that never takes itself seriously.”
- Jack Neal’s Master Reviews February 3, 2006

Die Fledermaus – Dr. Falke – Sarasota Opera
“Several important supporting singers are needed to make this opera really shine. Stephen Eisenhard as the warden and Mark Walters as Dr. Falke were outstanding. Walters in particular performs with a voice that is memorable.”
- St. Petersburg Times March 13, 2006

Susannah - Blitch - Florida State Universtiy
"Guest artist Mark Walters almost stole the evening with his riveting portrayal of the Rev. Olin Blitch, a traveling preacher. It is important that this character be played with some sympathy, or the opera will be out of balance. Mr. Walters was able to do that while keeping the audience at a bit of a distance from the reverend. His rich, booming voice is just part of the reason it is believable that the people of the village would follow his lead."
- Tallahassee Democrat November 6, 2005

Annie Get Your Gun - Frank Butler - Utah Festival Opera
"Crack shot Frank Butler (Mark Walters), commanded and got attention. The tall, handsome singer possesses a magnificently resonant voice and unforced dramatic ability, making his role look easy."
- The Salt Lake Tribune July 11, 2005

Le nozze di Figaro - Count - Dayton Opera
"The Count and Countess are a special 'Bankston Magic' story. Adrienne Danrich and Mark Walters were Artists in Residence with Dayton Opera only a few seasons ago. Both handled their major roles with confidence and vocal excellence. Mark Walters made a handsome Count who was able to portray his somewhat muddled character without making him an ogre."
- The Oakwood Register October 26, 2004

The Corps of Discovery (Professional Premiere) - Capt. William Clark - Opera Memphis
"Leading the cast and the expedition were Mark Walters as Capt. William Clark and Randolph Locke as Capt. Meriwether Lewis. Both possessed forceful voices and were compelling on stage”
- Commercial Appeal Arts and Theater April 27, 2004

Die Zauberflöte - Papageno - Sarasota Opera
"Mark Walters, as Papageno, was a pure delight as he moved around the stage creating an aura of incomprehension while he prepared for the ritual of entry into the temple and later when he was seduced by an old crone who, in reality, was Papagena, a lusty young woman. Walters carried off this role with great enthusiasm and his supple baritone fit in nicely with the other singers”
- Venice Gondolier March 3, 2004

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