A native of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, tenor Markus Francke commenced piano studies at the age of eight and made his operatic debut as a boy soprano in Benjamin Britten’s „A Midsummer Night’s Dream“, at the Stadttheater Freiburg. He began studies in Musicology at the ‚Universität zu Köln‘, before transferring to the ‚Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln‘, where he studied singing with Professor Arthur Janzen and conducting with Professor Johannes Hömberg. He has received further vocal tuition from Berthold Schmid, Diane Forlano, Francisco Araiza and David Harper. 

From 2012-2014 Markus Francke was an ensemble member of the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden. He debuted many roles there, including „Der Steuermann“ in Wagner’s „The Flying Dutchman“ and the role of „Toni“ in Hans Werner Henze’s „Elegy for Young Lovers“ directed by Dietrich Hilsdorf, which opened the 2014 International May Festival. In 2014 Markus Francke made his debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper München, singing the role of „Der Tanzmeister“ in R. Strauss‘ „Ariadne auf Naxos“. He has performed as a guest artist with several other theatres across Germany and was a member of the Festspielensemble in Bregenz.

In the last couple of years Markus Francke performed several important role debuts, including „Hans“ in Smetana’s „The Bartered Bride“ at the Staatsoperette Dresden, and the role of „Matteo“ in R.Strauss’ „Arabella“ at the Oper Leipzig. Since 2018 he is an ensemble member of the Stadttheater Ulm singing roles like „Edgardo“ in „Lucia di Lammermoor“, „Erik“ in „The flying Dutchman“ and „Florestan“ in „Fidelio“.  In the 2022/23 season, he has continued to take on new roles such as “Hoffmann” in “The Tales of Hoffmann” and the “Turiddu” in “Cavalleria rusticana,” the program includes the world premiere of Charles Tournemir’s opera “La légende de Tristan”.

From the time of his studies in Cologne, Markus Francke has built a very successful career as a concert artist. He boasts a vast repertoire of works spanning from the Renaissance period through to contemporary music. He performed Verdi’s „Requiem“ in the Philharmonie in Cologne, Bach’s „St. John Passion“ in Helsinki, Bach’s „Mass in B minor“ in Budapest, Bruckner’s „Te Deum“ in Moscow an Luigi Nono’s „Prometeo“ in Amsterdam and in the Tonhalle Zürich.

As a sought-after soloist, Markus Francke has performed in some of the most prized venues in Europe, Russia and Israel.

He has sung under the direction of conductors such as Ingo Metzmacher, Ulf Schirmer, Asher Fish, Steuart Bedford, Helmut Rilling, Reinhard Goebel, Pavel Kogan and Marcus Creed. Orchestras of note include, „L’arpa festante“, „Concerto Köln“, „WDRSinfonieorchester Köln“ the „SWR-Sinfonieorchester“ and the „Gewandhausorchester Leipzig“.