MALCOLM MACKENZIE
BARITONE
BIOGRAPHY
With a voice described as having a “rich vocal range full of inviting nuance,” Malcolm MacKenzie has firmly established himself as a strong presence in the dramatic baritone repertoire. Opera News recently praised him as a “confident, commanding Count di Luna…of robust tone, ardent address, arching phrases and genuine baritonal squillo.” Mr. MacKenzie has been heard at leading opera houses throughout the U.S. and Europe, appearing at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Paris Opera (Bastille), Finland’s Savonlinna Festival, Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, San Diego Opera, Arizona Opera, Fort Worth Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera, in roles including Simon Boccanegra, Iago, Tonio, Baron Scarpia, Don Giovanni, Count di Luna, Renato, Jack Rance, Marcello, Germont, and Count Almaviva.
Most recently, MacKenzie reprised his performance of Mark Torrence in The Shining at The Atlanta Opera, sang Germont in La Traviata with both Eugene Opera and Knoxville Opera, was seen as Uncle John in Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie’s The Grapes of Wrath with MasterVoices in his Carnegie Hall début, and covered Owen/Johnson in San Francisco Opera’s production of Omar. Upcoming in the 24/25 season, he will return to the Metropolitan Opera stage to sing the role of Stubb in their production of Moby Dick, and he sings Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with both Austin Opera and Opera San Antonio.
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CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"... opulent, ruddy baritone..." – San Diego Story
Hänsel und Gretel – “Malcolm MacKenzie has appeared in a dozen San Diego Opera productions, but he is emblazoned in my memory as the vocally and dramatically imperious Sergeant Belcore in the 2014 production of The Elixir of Love. His opulent, ruddy baritone gave this opera’s Peter—the children’s caring father—bold authority and easily communicated his unalloyed affection."
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“... a commanding force…” – Opera News
Tosca – “The real stars of the production, however, were the two male principals, Scarpia and Cavaradossi. In his Opera Omaha and role debut, baritone Malcolm MacKenzie, Scarpia, was a commanding force from the moment he entered in Act I. His rich, warm, and dark tone was bolstered by a relentless legato line which amplified the sensuous sleaziness of his Scarpia."
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"... one to savor in the part…” – Classical Voice North Carolina
Rigoletto – “Malcolm MacKenzie's first lines as Rigoletto quickly established his rich, freely produced baritone as one to savor in the part. His assured negotiation of the character's punishing high tessitura continued to thrill throughout the lengthy role.”
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"... a dynamic presence..." – Opera News
The Scarlet Letter – “Baritone Malcolm MacKenzie, as (Hester) Prynne's ever-angry husband Chillingworth, produced a confident baritone and a dynamic presence.”
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"... hardy baritone voice..." – New York Times
La Traviata – “Malcolm MacKenzie brought his hardy baritone voice and dramatic authority to the role of Alfredo’s father, Germont.”