Biography
German baritone Michael Volle made his Royal Opera debut in 1997 as Herald (Lohengrin), and has since sung Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Jokanaan (Salome), Dr Schön/Jack the Ripper (Lulu), Kurwenal (Tristan und Isolde), Amonasro (Aida), Scarpia (Tosca) and Guy de Montfort (Les Vêpres siciliennes). He returns in the 2017/18 Season to sing Montfort and Jokanaan.
Volle grew up in southern Germany. He trained with Josef Metternich and with Rudolf Piernay. From 1999 to 2007 he was a member of Zürich Opera, singing such roles as Eugene Onegin and Beckmesser (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg). In 2007 he joined Bavarian State Opera, where his roles have included Wolfram von Eschinbach (Tannhäuser), Kurwenal, Amfortas (Parsifal), Amonasro and Wozzeck. Engagements elsewhere include Mandryka (Arabella), Hans Sachs (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg) and the Dutchman (Der fliegende Holländer) for the Metropolitan Opera, New York, Hans Sachs and Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte) for Salzburg Festival, Mandryka for Paris Opéra, the Dutchman and Dr Schön/Jack for Berlin State Opera, Wotan (Das Rheingold) for La Scala, Milan, and Hans Sachs for Bayreuth Festival.
Volle sings regularly in concert and recital.