Johann Dornwald is a German-Swedish bass singer. With a repertoire spanning from oratorio to opera, he works with independent productions as well as established opera houses and institutions.
Johann Dornwald was born in Witten, Germany. He first studied classical singing at the Kulturama and Birkagården music conservatories in Stockholm. This was followed by a year at the Stockholm Opera Studio. In 2012, he did his concert exam in chamber music (singing) at the Conservatory in Västerås, Sweden.
Between 2012 and 2017, he completed a bachelor and master’s degree at Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium (The Royal Danish Conservatory of Music) in Copenhagen. Master classes with Peter Mattei, Ann-Sofie von Otter, Malcolm Martineau and Olaf Bär complemented his studies. He also did postgraduate studies with Douglas Yates in 2019-2021.
Already during his studies at the Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium, he was engaged at the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen for soloist roles in G. Verdi’s Otello and Momo by S. Azarova and The Magic Flute by W.A. Mozart. He was later engaged in the chorus at the Oslo Opera House where he also did a solo role in R. Strauss’ Elektra and the world premiere of S. Skouen’s Fram.
Johann has a strong interest in keeping the art of opera alive and engage audiences across generations. He can be seen both as soloist in the electronic adaptation of Ethel Smyth's opera The Boatswain's Mate and performing classical concerts hosted by the Norwegian Chamber Opera.
In Scandinavia he also sings oratorio, for instance with the baroque orchestra Camerata Øresund led by Peter Spissky. He has been a soloist in Händel's Messiah, Requiem by W. A. Mozart, The Creation by J. Haydn, Requiem by G. Fauré and in the St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach including the role of Jesus and bass arias.