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, and also debuts Gremin (Eugene Onegin) at The Grange Festival. This follows a 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 as LoZio 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 in the 2025 Belvedere Competition.

Mark is based in Belgrade, Serbia

Download programme biography   

Contact

Mark Hildrew

Mark Hildrew

Executive Director
Seb Mallet

Seb Mallet

Artist Manager
Elan Fryar

Elan Fryar

Assistant Artist Manager

Representation

Worldwide general management with Askonas Holt

Follow Mark

Season Highlights

Sep 2025
Grand Theatre de Geneve
Wagner: Tannhauser (role of Biterolf) Conducted by Mark Elder
Oct 2025
Grand Theatre de Geneve
Debussy: Pelleas and Melisande (role of Shepherd/Doctor) Conducted by Juraj Valčuha
Nov 2025
Grand Theatre de Geneve
Henry Purcell and Kevin Juillerat: Graals (bass soloist) Conducted by Antoine Rebstein
Jan 2026
Grand Theatre de Geneve
Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri (role of Haly, Bey’s servant) Conducted by Michele Spotti
Feb 2026
Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège
Tchaikovsky: Pikovaia Dama (roles of Surin and Narumov) Conducted by Giampaolo Bisanti
Apr 2026
Grand Theatre de Geneve
Puccini: Madama Butterfly (role of Lo zio Bonzo) Conducted by Antonino Fogliani

Video

Photos

Download high resolution images

News

Press

  • Tannhauser

    Grand Théâtre de Genève
    Sep 2025

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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.

    • on savoure le tranchant de Mark Kurmanbayev [translated] we savor the sharpness of Mark Kurmanbayev

  • La traviata

    Grand Théâtre de Genève
    Jun 2025

    • David 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.

  • Fedora

    Grand Théâtre de Genève
    Dec 2024

    • Ebenso 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  • Le Nozze di Figaro

    Verbier Festival
    Jul 2024

    • Le 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.

  • Romeo et Juliette

    Teatro di San Carlo
    Feb 2025

    • Nel 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.