MARK Vincent might only be half the age of his audience, but when he is performing sellout shows, numbers mean little.
“The world’s youngest tenor” at 29, Vincent made fame as a 15-year-old in 2009 when he won the third season of Australia’s Got Talent.
He is taking his acclaimed two-act show to regional venues across South Australia and Victoria, including Swan Hill, next month.
In this unique live event, Vincent will pay tribute to operatic icons Mario Lanza and The Three Tenors (Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras), dedicating half the show respectively to each of these legendary acts.
With two tributes in one show, he will lend his exquisite vocals to the most beloved hits.
It’s Vincent’s first time in Swan Hill, but will leave echoes across the rural city.
“This sort of show gives me the opportunity to go to different places in Australia that I have never been to,” he told The Guardian.
“My audience is 45 years of age and over, especially with the genre of music that I do.
“A lot of retired people that move to regional areas and spend quality life they have in regional communities.
“For me to go to country places is exciting because I’m among an audience that appreciates the arts.”
It’s been a “crazy” year for the father-of-two, who has travelled overseas five times since the start of the year.
“Being a dad with two kids is another job in itself,” he said.
“But the touring aspect is humbling … to have 40 concerts lined up this year.
“I’m very grateful and going through COVID puts everything into perspective in how lucky to do what we love.
“That it can be taken from you very quickly.”
Vincent said being on a national television show was a “great platform” that kickstarted his career at just 15, but as something that lasted 12 months he was never sure what the future held.
“The audience says, ‘OK, what’s next for Mark?’ he said.
“It’s taken me 14 years to reinvent myself, change my image and spread the horizons the best way I can to have longevity.
“There is someone out there doing the same thing as you. But, if you truly believe in hard work and surrounding yourself with the right people, that’s the key to success.
“I remember last year on New Year’s Eve I did a concert with Marina Prior and John Foreman and I said to myself, ‘It wasn’t that long ago I was watching Marina on Carols by Candlelight and John on Australian Idol as musical director’.
“Dreams do come true.
“I still get John ringing me and I think, ‘Wow, was that just John calling me?’
“Live music as come back in some shape and form and with a vengeance.
“People are confident to go watch a show.
“Record companies have gone way, but the live aspect of entertainment is well and truly alive.”
Vincent said Lanza was one of the greatest voices of the 21st century.
“He was the triple threat; he could sing, act and looked amazing in films and stage,” he said.
“That voice will never be forgotten.
“For the second act, I am truly honoured to be paying tribute to the greatest singers in the world, Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras.
“I can remember as a child watching The Three Tenors in concert at Madison Square Garden.
“There was United States President George Bush along with Frank Sinatra, and many other performers that day.
“It made me as a young boy realise that I wanted to follow in these tenors’ footsteps; that day inspired me to become a tenor.”
At the June 24 show, the audience could expect a variety of different songs from arias to classic ballads, as well as musical theatre numbers that the tenors performed throughout their respective careers.
Tickets to the 2pm town hall show start from $60.
Book your seat at swanhilltownhall.com/events/mark-vincent
