Jonathan Zaens, baritone

Jonathan Zaens was born in Naga City to Manuel Zaens and Amelita de la Paz.

A graduate of the Naga Parochial School and the Philippine High School for the Arts, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Voice, cum laude, at the University of the Philippines under Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion.

In 2000 he finished his studies in Voice/Music Theater at the University of the Arts in Berlin under Prof. Dr. Herbert Brauer.

He won the 7th Sylvia Geszty International Voice Competition and became a finalist to the 13th Back International Competition of the Mendelssohn Voice Competition.

Guest performances led him to the State Opera and Estates Theater in Prague where he sang the Mozart roles of Leporello and Gulielmo. In Berlin he has performed with the Neukollner Opera, Berliner Chamber Opera and the New Opera Stage the role of Dulcamara in Donizetti’s “L’Eliser d’Amore,” “Alidoro in Hasse’s” “La Sorella Amante” and the Abbot in Britten’s “Curlew River.”

As an Oratorio-singer, Jonathan constantly sings the Bass parts of the main Oratorios of Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn und Rossini.

He has given Lied-recitals in Germany, Italy, Sweden, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, USA and the Philippines.

His repertoire also comprises music of the 21st century. At the Salzburg Festival he sang in the world premiere of Stockhausen’s “Dufte-Zeichen” (Scents-Signs).

He also performed other works of Stockhausen, Sciarinno, Zender, Rihm, Eotvos, Piazzola at the Berliner Festival, Schwetzinger Festival, Biennial Festival in Venice and Koblenz Theater. A prizewinner of the 7th Sylvia Geszty International Voice Competition, Zaens is also a finalist at the Bach International Competition and the Mendelssohn Voice Competition.

After finishing his studies in Voice/Music Theater at the University of the Arts in Berlin, he was heard at the Prague State Opera singing the Mozart roles of Leporello and Guglielmo on top of guest appearances in the Berliner Chamber Opera and other opera houses in Germany.