Born in Bochum, the baritone Roland Hermann had his vocal training in Germany, Italy and the United States, among others with Paul Lohmann and Margarete von Winterfeld. Before devoting himself fully in 1964 to singing he completed studies in musicology, English and philology. In 1968 he joined the ensemble of the Zurich Opera. At the same time he enjoys an international reputation as an opera and concert singer, giving regular guest performances in the United States, South America, Japan and Australia, as well as in most European countries. His repertoire includes some seventy rôles in a wide range of operas. He is known for his performances of contemporary music, with premières of works by Fortner, Halffter, Höller, Kelterborn, Krenek, Willi, Zender and Mauricio Kagel. He has given special attention to Lieder and has participated in over fifty recordings and some hundred broadcasts. Since 1989 he has led a singing class at the Karlsruhe State Musikhochschule.