Mark Dobell

Tenor

 

What & where was your debut gig with The Sixteen?

Birmingham Oratory, sometime in 2000 (part of the first Choral Pilgrimage) – very scary it was too.

What’s been a memorable Sixteen gig & why?

So many to choose from… I remember a Messiah performance in Lincoln, where I felt I understood the piece for the first time. I remember Jonny Arnold taking the role of Christus a bit too literally in Porto and having to carry him offstage. I’ll always remember CP4 with the amazing Scarlatti Stabat Mater.

What’s your favourite Sixteen recording?

The next one! Also, for the repertoire, the Bach motets disc from years ago. And there are great recordings of Poulenc and Britten.

Where did you train/study?

Classics at Clare College, Cambridge and then 2 years postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music

What are your hobbies and interests?

Golf, but I’m not very good
Crosswords
Correcting people’s spelling
Almost any televised sport, except anything involving horses – I hate horses.

What else do you do (professionally) when not singing with The Sixteen?

Other singing, including for the Orlando Consort, the Tallis Scholars and Westminster Abbey Choir. Also as much solo work as I can fit in.

What football team do you support?

Chelsea. It’s a wonder Harry still employs me to be honest.