Mark Fowler - The Artist

Mark Fowler was born in Melbourne, Australia. He graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Opera Studio in 2002 studying with Maestra Natalia Afeyan. Whilst at university he received the “Snowy Nominees Scholarship” and sang the roles of Lord Petersham, Dr. Graham and Dr. Wilkinson from Williamsons' “English Eccentrics”, Harlekin from Ullmanns' “Der Kaiser von Atlantis” and Burlotto from Haydns' “Le Pescatrici”. During his studies he also performed many oratorio and other concert works at prestigious cultural events.

Upon graduation, Mark joined Opera Australias’ full time company playing Sid in “Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing” and Cursor in “Software” in over 300 performances. Between the years 2002 and 2005 he toured with Australias’ with leading opera companies singing the roles Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte), Don Basilio and Don Curzio (Le nozze di Figaro), Monostatos and First Armed Man (Die Zauberflőte), Pong (Turandot),Goro (Madama Butterfly), and Borsa (Rigoletto). Opera Australia employed him for the roles of Struhan and Third Jew by R.Strauss and numerous other engagements. In concerts Mark sang the tenor solos in Haydns' “The Creation” and “Nelson Mass”, Mozarts' “Coronation Mass”, Rossinis' “Petite messe solennelle”, Kodalys' “Missa Brevis” and “Carmina burana” by Orff and successfully participated in competitions, winning the 2004 “Singer of the Year”, runner up in the 2003 “Australian Youth Aria” and “Mathy Awards” (appearing at the Sydney Opera House on it's 30th birthday with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra). He was twice a finalist in the Herald Sun Aria and was nominated for the Vienna State Opera Award in 2005. Whilst in Australia Mark participated actively in numerous master classes conducted by Ms. Simone Young, Mr. Dennis O'Neill, Dr. David Kram, Prof. Richard Divall OBE and Mr. Andrew Sinclair.

In 2005 he signed a contract for the Asian tour of “Phantom of the Opera” singing in 174 performances. His first trip to Europe was later that year, winning the “Fund Raina Kabaivanska” award and then travelling to Italy, the U.K. and U.S.A., where he had coaching sessions with Raymond Connell, David Kelso and Patricia Sage. Marks' European debut was in July 2006 as Tamino from “Die Zauberflöte” in Rome, Italy. Following this, he moved to Bulgaria to enrol in a Masters of Music Performance course at the New Bulgarian University, winning a second scholarship from Maestra Kabaivanska. There he continues his vocal studies with Ms. Afeyan and works with Maestro Boris Spasov (principal conductor, Bulgarian National Opera).

In 2007, Mark made his first recording with the Bulgarian National Radio as tenor solo in the “Petite messe solennelle” (Rossini), sang the tenor solo in Orffs’ “Carmina burana” in the 40th Bulgarian National Festival of Opera and Ballet (Stara Zagora, Bulgaria) and was invited to sing the tenor solo at concert hall “Bulgaria” in Rossinis’ “Stabat Mater” on the day that marks the great celebration of Bulgarian culture; the event was conducted by Maestro Metodi Matakiev. In Australia he sang the role of Joe in “La fanciulla del West” (Puccini) with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and a solo recital with piano in Tokyo, Japan.

This year his busy performance schedule continues in Eastern Europe. In addition to completing his Masters Degree at NBU he will make his debut in the roles of Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly) with Stara Zagora Opera and Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) in the Belgrade International Theatre Festival. In April, Mark won first prize in the “European Youth Vocal Competition” in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.