Mark Cotton is a distinguished baritone renowned for his versatility, having performed a diverse array of operatic roles that span works by Verdi, Gounod, Bernstein, and Barber. His extensive concert repertoire includes compositions by Beethoven, Fauré, Haydn, and Verdi. 

Most recently, Mark showcased his artistry at the Margravial Opera House in a concert dedicated to an all-Wagner program. He was also featured as the baritone soloist for the L'Opera Piccola 20th Anniversary Gala at the historic Kloster Eberbach in Eltville, Hessen, where he performed "Il Balen" from Verdi’s Il Trovatore and the "Te Deum" from Puccini’s Tosca. 

Looking ahead, Mark is set to return to Santa Fe, NM, to debut in the role of Gianni Schicchi and participate in a Puccini gala for Opera West. He will then swiftly transition back to Meiningen to collaborate with the Meininger Kammerchor as the baritone soloist for Fauré’s Requiem.

His recent engagements include operatic and Christmas concerts in Leipzig, performed at Alte Börse and Kloster Eberbach, as well as serving as the bass soloist for Verdi’s Requiem in Berlin. This past season, he took on the title role in Rigoletto with the Delaware Valley Opera and portrayed Tonio in Opera West’s production of I Pagliacci. 

Critically acclaimed, Margaret Bruetsch of the Sullivan County Democrat praised his performance in Rigoletto, noting, “Cotton’s voice is spectacular, but his ability to pull the audience into the story was what really made him stand out. He pivoted from funny jester to cruel voice of the Duke to overprotective and later heartbroken father with ease”. and he is known for captivating his audience with his dramatic portrayals and deep commitment to character. His commanding presence has been remarked upon as it brings powerful depth to each of his performances.

The 2021-2022 season features an impressive lineup of performances for Mark Cotton, including his role as Sharpless in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Opera in Santa Fe, NM. He will also showcase his talents in concerts with the Delaware Valley Opera, performing excerpts from Don Pasquale, Rigoletto and Così fan tutte, as well taking on the title role in Nathan Felix's Ribas-Dominici with the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to his operatic engagements, Mr. Cotton possesses a wealth of experience on the concert stage, having performed many revered orchestral works. His repertoire includes masterpieces such as Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Dvořák’s Te Deum, and Verdi’s Requiem, among others. He has regularly collaborated with prestigious ensembles, including the Masterworks Chorus, the Paul Madore Chorale, and the Messiah Society of Grand Junction.

Mr. Cotton's formative training was enriched by the guidance of two operatic legends, Carlo Bergonzi in Busseto, Italy, and Franco Corelli in New York City. The invaluable practical knowledge and techniques they imparted have provided him with a robust foundation upon which to build his successful career.

Mark has performed with several prestigious international companies, including Linguagloso Festival, Opera Classica Europa, Hudson Lyric Opera, Delaware Valley Opera, Montclair Opera Theatre, Miami Lyric Opera, NJ Verismo Opera, and the Opera Company of Brooklyn. His notable roles include Escamillo, Germont, Count di Luna, Amonasro, Melchior, Alfio, Sharpless, Rigoletto, and Simon Boccanegra.