MarkKurmanbayev
- Bass


About Mark
In the 2025/26 season, Mark makes his debut at Opéra Wallonie de Liege with Surin and Narumov (Pique Dame) under the baton of Giampaolo Bisanti, which follows successful house debut last season at major European houses – Bayerische Staatsoper and Teatro di San Carlo, where he sang Capulet in their first ever production of Romeo et Juliette. Mark will begin his second year in the ensemble at Grand Theatre de Geneve, making his Wagner debut as singing roles including as Biterolf (Tannhauser), as week asLoZio Bonzo (Madama Butterfly), and Haly (L’italiana in Algeri). He will also appear in Geneva as the bass soloist in Graals, a contemporary work for Baroque ensemble and live electronics.
The Kazakh bass is one of few singers from his country performing at the top level throughout Europe, gaining his initial experience in his home of Serbia, where he performed regularly with the Belgrade Philharmonic before entering the studio of the Dutch National Opera, where he performed roles such as Joe (Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny), Sir Gualtiero Raleigh (Roberto Devereux) and last season Mark entered the ensemble of the Grand Theatre de Geneve debuting roles such as Publio (La Clemenza di Tito).
Mark is a finalist the 2025 Belvedere Competition.
Representation
Worldwide general management with Askonas Holt
Season Highlights
Video
- Playing
Mark Kurmanbayev sings Bartolo in Verbier
Mark Kurmanbayev sings Bartolo's aria "La Vendetta" from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro at Verbier Festival in July 202, conducted by Gábor Takács-Nagy Credit: Medici TV
Mark Kurmanbayev sings Aleko's Cavatina
Mark Kurmanbayev sings "Ves' tabor Spit" from Rachmaninoff's Aleko at Dutch National Opera in June 2024 with Amy Chang on the piano. Credit: Mark Kurmanbayev
Mark Kurmanbayev sings Figaro
Mark Kurmanbayev sings Figaro's aria “Tutto è disposto… Aprite un po’ quegli occhi” from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro at Dutch National Opera in October 2023 with Daniel Ruiz De Cenzano Caballero on the piano. Credit: Mark Kurmanbayev
Mark Kurmanbayev sings Colline's aria
Mark Kurmanbayev sings "Vecchia zimarra, senti" from Puccini's La bohème at Dutch National Opera in June 2024, accompanied by Amy Chang. Credit: Dutch National Opera
News
Press
Tannhauser
Grand Théâtre de GenèveSep 2025Mark Kurmanbayev (prise de rôle). Également sonore dans tous les registres, profonde mais pas sombre, lumineuse mais pas légère, la jeune basse a toutes les qualités d’un wagnérien de premier plan. [translated] The role of Biterolf is served by the ample voice of Mark Kurmanbayev (role debut). Equally resonant in all registers, deep but not dark, luminous but not light, the young bass has all the qualities of a leading Wagnerian
- Forum Opera
- 24 September 2025
Mark Kurmanbayev est Biterolf, le seul finalement avec Wolfram à chanter sur la pierre de touche, membre du jeune ensemble, il a une belle aisance en scène et dans sa prestation travaille l’ironie non sans efficacité. La voix est bien marquée, bien projetée et expressive, et la prestation montre de vraies qualités [translated] Mark Kurmanbayev is Biterolf, the only one with Wolfram to sing on the touchstone, a member of the young ensemble, he has a great ease on stage and in his performance works irony not without effectiveness. The voice is well marked, well projected and expressive, and the performance shows real qualities
- Wandersite
- 26 September 2025
son alter ego Biterolf – la sémillante basse Mark Kurmanbayev – célèbrent l’amour platonique noble et sacré [translated] his alter ego Biterolf – the vivacious bass Mark Kurmanbayev – celebrate noble and sacred platonic love
- Classykeo
- 23 September 2025
Mark Kurmanbayev (Biterolf) se fait remarquer de sa voix sombre et bien conduite [translated] Mark Kurmanbayev (Biterolf) stands out with his dark and well-conducted voice, Julien
- Olyrix
- 22 September 2025
Le rôle de Biterolf est servi par la voix ample de Mark Kurmanbayev (prise de rôle). Également sonore dans tous les registres, profonde mais pas sombre, lumineuse mais pas légère, la jeune basse a toutes les qualités d’un wagnérien de premier plan [translated] The role of Biterolf is served by the ample voice of Mark Kurmanbayev (role debut). Equally resonant in all registers, deep but not dark, luminous but not light, the young bass has all the qualities of a leading Wagnerian.
- Forum Opera
- 24 September 2025
on savoure le tranchant de Mark Kurmanbayev [translated] we savor the sharpness of Mark Kurmanbayev
- Opera Online
- 21 September 2025
La traviata
Grand Théâtre de GenèveJun 2025David Ireland (Douphol) et Mark Kurmanbayev (Grenvil) sont eux des personnages portés avec une réelle discipline musicale et théâtrale, le dernier nommé se distinguant avec son instrument de basse solidement bâti. [translated] David Ireland (Douphol) and Mark Kurmanbayev (Grenvil) are characters portrayed with real musical and theatrical discipline, the latter standing out with his solidly built bass instrument.
- Classykeo
- 19 June 2025
Fedora
Grand Théâtre de GenèveDec 2024Ebenso begeistern die Stimmen des Baritons Simone del Savio als Diplomat De Siriex und des jungen Basses Mark Kurmanbayev als Ermittler Gretch. Beide führen ihre Stimme flexibel und ohne Nachdruck, die teils großen Sprünge absolvieren sie mit elegantem Portamento statt gewuchtetem Hauruck [translated] The voices of baritone Simone del Savio as diplomat De Siriex and young bass Mark Kurmanbayev as investigator Gretch are equally impressive. Both lead their voices flexibly and without emphasis, and they perform the sometimes large leaps with an elegant portamento instead of a heaving jerk.
- Frankfurter Allgemeine
- 15 December 2024
Se détache le policier de Mark Kurmanbayev, sobre et efficace. Toujours parfaitement en place, avec une prononciation irréprochable, il apporte une présence scénique discrète mais essentielle. [translated] Mark Kurmanbayev's sober, effective policeman stands out. Always perfectly in place, with impeccable pronunciation, he brings a discreet but essential stage presence.
- Premiere Loge
- 15 December 2024
Mark Kurmanbayev, autre membre du Jeune Ensemble, est Gretch, l’inspecteur de police inquiétant, fait sonner une voix de basse puissante, au timbre chaud et à la diction claire : une voix déjà bien affirmée à suivre. Mark Kurmanbayev, another member of the Young Ensemble, is Gretch, the disquieting police inspector, with a powerful bass voice, warm timbre and clear diction: a voice that is already well established and worth following.
- Wanderer
- 17 December 2024
Le Nozze di Figaro
Verbier FestivalJul 2024Le Serbe Mark Kurmanbayev est un Bartolo qui se remarque : vocalement, avec sa basse puissante, et scéniquement, avec ce regard perçant et sa gestuelle généreuse." [Translated] "Serbian Mark Kurmanbayev is a Bartolo who stands out: vocally, with his powerful bass, and on stage, with his piercing gaze and generous body language.
- Olyrix
- 21 July 2024
Romeo et Juliette
Teatro di San CarloFeb 2025Nel ruolo di Capulet, l’ottimo Mark Kurmanbayev: il basso offre un ritratto «affettivo» del padre di Juliette, tra severità ed estremo dolore, ottenuto attraverso tinte brillanti e un’abilità nell’affrontare correttamente le zone acute della scrittura vocale." [Translated] "In the role of Capulet, the excellent Mark Kurmanbayev : the bass offers an "affective" portrait of Juliette's father, between severity and extreme pain, obtained through bright colors and an ability to correctly address the acute areas of vocal writing.
- GB Opera
- 18 February 2025