Björn Asker

Swedish opera singer (baritone), born September 23, 1941 in Stockholm. He studied for Hugo Hasslo in Stockholm and Tito Gobbi in Rome, and at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm 1966–1969. He made his debut at the Royal Theater as Peter in The Journey by Lars Johan Werle in 1969, and was one of the Opera's leading singers between 1969 and 1997. In addition, he was active at Drottningholm's Castle Theater 1970–1983. His broad repertoire rested on the great baritone roles of Mozart (successful Don Giovanni), Wagner (also Wotan in Valkyrian) and Verdi. He participated in premieres of operas by Lars Johan Werle, Wihlo-Hallberg and Lars Edlund. He was also a diligent romance singer, and premiered many works by contemporary composers such as Herman Koppel, Maurice Karkoff, Karl-Erik Welin, Bell and Chini. He has performed in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, the United States, Mexico and Israel. Since 1985 he has been working as an educator in Copenhagen, Denmark. Asker has been married to the Danish soprano Lone Koppel since 1983.