Opera Singer. A noted bass-baritone of the mid-20th Century, he excelled in comedic roles. Raised in Germany he studied at the Dresden Conservatory and made his 1936 professional debut at Gorlitz as Dr. Bartolo from Rossini's "The Barber of Seville"; the next year, also at Gorlitz, he was first heard in what was probably his signature role, Beckmesser from Richard Wagner's "Die Meistersinger". After appearing at increasingly important venues he joined the Vienna State Opera in 1947; over the years Dönch sang in such major houses as La Scala Milano, the Berlin State Opera, and the Paris Opera as, among other characters, Friar Melitone from Verdi's "La Forza del Destino" and Herr von Faninial of Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier". He made his 1959 bow at New York's Metropolitan Opera as Beckmesser, a role he was to sing at the house 45 times while also being heard there as Faninial, as the Witch in Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel", and as the Doctor from Alban Berg's "Wozzeck". Designated with the honorary title Kammersanger (in old times, 'Court Singer'), Dönch served as general manager of the Vienna Volksoper from 1973 until 1987. He died following a protracted illness leaving a significant recorded legacy, some of which is preserved on CD.
Opera Singer. A noted bass-baritone of the mid-20th Century, he excelled in comedic roles. Raised in Germany he studied at the Dresden Conservatory and made his 1936 professional debut at Gorlitz as Dr. Bartolo from Rossini's "The Barber of Seville"; the next year, also at Gorlitz, he was first heard in what was probably his signature role, Beckmesser from Richard Wagner's "Die Meistersinger". After appearing at increasingly important venues he joined the Vienna State Opera in 1947; over the years Dönch sang in such major houses as La Scala Milano, the Berlin State Opera, and the Paris Opera as, among other characters, Friar Melitone from Verdi's "La Forza del Destino" and Herr von Faninial of Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier". He made his 1959 bow at New York's Metropolitan Opera as Beckmesser, a role he was to sing at the house 45 times while also being heard there as Faninial, as the Witch in Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel", and as the Doctor from Alban Berg's "Wozzeck". Designated with the honorary title Kammersanger (in old times, 'Court Singer'), Dönch served as general manager of the Vienna Volksoper from 1973 until 1987. He died following a protracted illness leaving a significant recorded legacy, some of which is preserved on CD.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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