The voice of Alexey Markov –a strong and velvet baritone – can be heard today at the best opera houses all over the world. With equal admiration he is applauded by the audiences of the Metropolitan Opera, AlteOper Frankfurt, Bavarian State Opera, Carnegie Hall, Semper Opera, Zurich Opera, Teatro Real Madrid and many others. It has become trendy to go to the Mariinsky Theater just to hear Markov(if you are lucky enough to see him singing in Russia).

With one voice musical critics not only mention Alexey’s outstanding vocal makings, but also his versatile drama talent, that so many opera singers do not possess.

Nevertheless, Alexey hasn’t come to the world of opera art at once. He was born in 1977 in Vyborg, and nobody in his family was connected to the professional singing. Alexey graduated from the Vyborg Aviation Technical School,and while Russian aviation would have got a high quality expert, Alexey had a childhood dream that involved reaching for music.

He graduated from the musical school as a guitar player, later was a trumpet player at the orchestra. Alexey was 22 years old when his strong desire to sing led him to the Vyborg choir. He realized that his voice should be developed, and at 24 years old went to St. Petersburg to take private vocal classes.

Alexey’s first teacher, Alexander Dedik led the beginner baritone to the Academy of Young Singers of the Mariinsky Theatre. Alexey became a student of George Zastavny, a known baritone of the Kirov Opera. Alexey made his opera debut when he was 29 years old. He performed the part of Eugene Onegin in the Mariinsky Theater’s production of Eugene Onegin.

Alexey's persistent work did not go unnoticed. Since 2003, he annually receives the first place awards at the main Russian and International competitions of opera singers. In 2008 he became a permanent soloist of the Mariinsky Opera, and performances with his participation became an integral part of the Theater’s repertoire. Since his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, American critics saw him as a promising and charismatic baritone.

Markov has proved that a baritone can also be deservedly loved by the audience.

In everyday life, Alexey is simple, nice, and easy-going. He is a devoted family man but does not get to see enough of them due to his busy touring schedule. Alexey Markov’s life is a wonderful example of a man, who has managed to find his calling in time and understood who he really is. "I just live my life - he says - I like singing. I thank God that it can easily come to me.

Thank God - and this is exactly the church chorus that has given him a start...