Marco originally trained as a clarinettist at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama before turning to conducting full-time. He subsequently went on to study with George Hurst and to work closely with and understudy Walter Weller, Neeme Jarvi and Sir Alexander Gibson.He was the Founder and Musical Director of the Glasgow Sinfonia and Musical Director of the Renfrewshire Schools Symphony Orchestra and the Dumfries Choral Society. Marco made his professional debut in 1984 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chamber Ensemble.In 1996, he was appointed Artistic and Musical Director of the Sunderland Empire Theatre Promenade Concert Series where he devised and conducted popular programmes featuring some of Britain’s most eminent orchestras and soloists. Since then he has gone on to conduct many orchestras and ensembles throughout the UK including the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Halle, Birmingham Philharmonic and Liverpool Mozart Orchestras and the orchestras of Opera North and Scottish Opera.He has also worked with many distinguished soloists including Julian Lloyd Webber, Tasmin Little, Sarah Walker, Dennis O’Neill, John Wallace and Lesley Garrett.In 2003, he founded Naked Opera and was its Musical Director until 2012. He is currently Music Director of Opera Sunderland and an Associate Conductor with the Ravel Philharmonic Orchestra of Bergamo.
Marco’s conducting technique is flawless. He has the ability to rehearse the most complex scores quickly, efficiently and with an authority that instills great confidence in his players. He has a vast knowledge of the orchestral repertoire, and his interpretational sense is exceptional. His ability to inspire musicians is truly thrilling and wherever he works, his gift for communicating with players and audiences create performances that are exciting, spontaneous and memorable.
Marco has a very large and varied repertoire and is happy to conduct just about anything from Mozart to John Williams, although he prefers to specialise mainly in 19th and 20th century repertoire with a special love of British music.