Biographie

Was a German bass baritone opera singer and actor.

His time as intendant at the Städtischen Oper Berlin had to come to an end due to an accusation by his pupil, the tenor Hans Beirer, during the denazification process. His rehabilitation during the following years was slow, even though Beirer's accusation was quickly revealed as false. Bohnen thus died in complete poverty, with only a small wage from the city of Berlin. He died in Berlin.

On stage from 1910. A leading interpreter of Wagner, long with the Berlin Hofoper and at the Deutschen Oper Berlin (1935-45). Regular appearances at the Bayreuther Festspiele. Performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1922, and in Buenos Aires from 1933 to 1934.

Romantically linked to the exotic dancer La Jana.

Set up his own film production company in the 1920's, the Bohnen Film GmbH.