John Erik Eleby was educated at the Royal College of Music and University College of Opera in Stockholm.
He is a member of the soloist ensemble at the Royal Swedish Opera, where he has appeared in roles such as Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, the Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlos, Sparafucile in Rigoletto, Zero/Mother in Tristessa, Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, Hadar at the world premiere of Carl Unander Scharin's Hummelhonung, Escamillo in Carmen, Biterolf in Tannhäuser, Titurel and Klingsor in Parsifal, Johann Faust in The Fiery Angel, Kecal in The Bridal Purchase, Peter in Hansel und Gretel, Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore, Talbot in Maria Stuarda, Ferrando in Il Trovatore, Dartanjang at the world premiere of Unander-Scharin's Loranga, Mazarin and Dartanjang, Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia, the title role in Don Pasquale, Colline in La bohème, La Roche in Richard Strauss Capriccio, Grenvil in La traviata, Cirillo in Giordano’s Fedora, Swallow in Peter Grimes, The Village Judge in Jenůfa, the Maximilian/Grand Inquisitor in Bernstein's Candide and the Doctor in Berg's Wozzeck.
John Erik Eleby has also portrayed Escamillo and the Commander in Don Giovanni at Folkoperan, Don Profondo in Il viaggio a Reims at the Göteborg Opera, the title role in Don Giovanni at the Norrland Opera and participated in the world premiere of Unander-Scharin's The Crystal Cabinet at Piteå Chamber Opera, and his first Scarpia in Tosca with the Swedish Opera in Norrköping. John Erik Eleby has also sung The Emperor in Tan Dun's TEA: A mirror of Soul with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra at the Stockholm Concert Hall.
In addition to his opera engagements, John Erik Eleby also performs as a concert singer. In 1997 he was awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Opera Prize.
