Born in Kärnten, Austria Markus Werba began his vocal training aged 16. Later he studied singing at the Klagenfurt conservatory and at the Vienna Musikuniversität with Ralf Doring. Furthermore he had lessons with Robert Holl and Walter Berry and continues to work with Gerhard Kahry.

Markus has been rewarded with numerous first prizes in Austria, Italy, Slovenia and Japan.

Between 1998 and 2000 Markus was an ensemble member at the Vienna Volksoper where he sang a wide range of roles including Vincenz Der fidele Bauer, Mintschi ein Waltzertraum, Count Boni Kancsianu Die Csardasfürstin, Papageno Die Zauberflöte, Falke Die Fledermaus, Pappadoca Eine Nacht in Venedig, Malatesta Don Pasquale, Dandini La Cenerentola, and Danilo in Die lustige Witwe .

Despite his young age Markus has already established a remarkable career. Outside Vienna, engagements include the title role Il Baribere di Siviglia in Cagliari, Guglielmo Cosí Fan Tutte in Palermo, Genoa and in Lyon with William Christie. In 2006 he sang Nando in La Finta Giardiniera with Ivor Bolton at the Salzburg Festival and in Naples. In 2007 he sang the Count in le Nozze di Figaro with Christie in Lyon and made his debut as Mercurio in La Calisto at the Bayersiche Staatsoper. He has performed at Baden Baden with Abbado, and made is debut at La Scala with Jeffrey Tate.

Mr Werba is also in demand on the concert and recital platform having given recitals in Trieste, Wigmore Hall, in the Musikverein, Vienna, St Martin in the Fields, Mozarteum Salzburg and he will perform for the BBC in L'Derry

Markus has just returned from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden where he has given his debut as Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos. This summer he will return to the Salzburg Festival for Papageno with Maestro Muti Markus will start the 08/09 season in Covent Garden as Mercurio in La Calisto. In 2009 he will make his US debut as Papageno with the Los Angeles Opera conducted by James Conlon.