Singing, for Marco born in Quito, Ecuador, has been second nature. “I was born singing” he claims, and this explains why, during his childhood he was recognized by his beautiful voice as a soloist in the Colegio LaSalle. While he was attending Central University studying Law, he found time to join the prestigious Coro de la Cultura Ecuatoriana where, again, he was a soloist, under the direction of its founder, Guatemalan director, Oscar Vargas Romero. He established it as one of the most notable ensembles in South America. With Maestro Vargas’ artistic support, and a blessing from his family, Marco left Law School and studied briefly at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Quito, before departing to Chicago in pursue of his passion.
Once established in Chicago, Marco frequented the Fine Arts Building, looking for a good teacher. His efforts paid off when he met Corrado Vaselli and his wife Adelina, who became his mentoring family. While studying with them, Marco auditioned, and was accepted as a chorister in the prestigious Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Marco sang in the Lyric Opera Chorus for four seasons, was inducted into the Army and, upon his discharge, he continued with the Lyric, until he returned to his academic studies, at the University of Illinois. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Latin American Literature from Champaign, Urbana and taught Spanish at three universities. In the midst of these activities Marco still found time to sing at Chicago’s Saint Margaret Mary and St. John Cantius churches, performing tenor solos and masses by the great masters. His own debut concert took place at St. Scholastica Theatre on May 9, 1981, accompanied by Steve Burke. This led to the production of his first album Canciones Favoritas.
He has given several recitals in Chicago, at the St. Scholastica Theatre, and in Quito, at the Teatro Nacional Sucre, accompanied by Gerardo Guevara, active composer and director of the Conservatory at the time. Marco has performed as soloist in many venues. Recently, he sang the tenor solo for three consecutive years in The Seven Last Words of Christ by Dubois.
During his tenure with the Naperville Chorus, under the direction of Maestro Jeordano Martínez, Marco performed as soloist in various concerts including Navidad Nuestra, Amahl and the Night Visitors, HMS Pinafore, Magnificat, Liebesliederwalzer, and opera selections.
His latest CD Aprile!, completed in 2012, is an eclectic collection of zarzuela, art songs, religious and opera selections. His newly released CD Serenata, from his 1993 live concert at St. Scholastica Theatre, is a collection of twelve romantic, popular Latin American and Spanish love songs, accompanied by two instrumental ensembles. Being a writer, Serenata includes the popular melody of El cóndor pasa with lyrics written by Marco.
