Johanna Mayr

Johanna is a German language coach who works regularly with UK opera companies

Born in Austria, Johanna studied at the University of Salzburg and trained as a teacher. After moving to the UK she initially worked in the German department at the Universities of Leeds and Sussex.

Johanna has been a German language coach for over 30 years, working for various opera companies mainly in the UK, including numerous productions for Glyndebourne and Opera North. She is a staff member at the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and at the Royal College of Music. She has also coached for Decca, The Sixteen, BBC Singers, Britten Sinfonia, with conductors including Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Andrew Davis, Sir Simon Rattle, Vladimir Jurowsky, Robin Ticciati, Richard Farnes, Ivor Bolton and Ben Glassberg.

Aside from her work as a language coach, Johanna is also a translator. She holds a Diploma in Translation from the Chartered Institute of Linguists, of which she is a Member (MIL). She has translated principally for EMI, for whom she has produced over 300 CD booklets. She has completed several literal translations of complete opera libretti for study purposes, produced a new version of the German dialogue for Die Fledermaus at Glyndebourne, and a new set of surtitles for the latest Glyndebourne production of Die Zauberflöte.