Jochen Kowalski

Jochen Kowalski (born 30 January 1954) is a German alto or mezzo countertenor, noted for his very rich timbre.

He received his training at the Deutsche Hochschule für Musik in East-Berlin, in particular with the vocal pedagogue Marianne Fischer-Kupfer.

The artist drew international attention through his performance of Orpheus in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice in a new staging of the work in December 1987, and in the travelling production by the Komische Oper in August 1989 in London.

In 1984, Kowalski made his debut with the Hamburg State Opera singing the role of Daniel in G.F. Handel’s oratorio Belshazzar in Harry Kupfer’s staged realization under the musical direction of Gerd Albrecht.

He has established a reputation as a concert and oratorio singer in the major musical centres of Europe, the USA and Japan, working with such conductors as Gary Bertini, Neville Marriner, Vittorio Negri, Zubin Mehta, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt, among others.