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John Savournin

Bass-baritone

John Savournin has established himself as one of the UK’s most versatile and charismatic performers, working both as singer and director. He recently made his debut with Nederlandse Reisopera as Hotel Manager Powder Her Face. Other companies with whom he has worked include Garsington Opera at Wormsley, The Grange Festival, Opera Holland Park, Opera North, Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera, in repertoire including Leporello Don Giovanni, Colline La bohème, Alidoro La cenerentola,  Angelotti Tosca, Fotis The Greek Passion, Major Domo/Truffaldino Ariadne aug Naxos, Sir Richard Cholmondeley The Yeomen of the Guard, Zuniga Carmen, Peter Quince A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Badger / Priest The Cunning
Little Vixen and 2nd Gunman Kiss me Kate.
His recordings include Bartolo on the BBC Singers / BBC Concert Orchestra recording of Alfred Cellier’s The Mountebanks for Dutton Epoch and Gaffer Gubbins / The Dragon in Lampe’s The Dragon of Wantley with Brook Street Band for Resonus Classics (BBC Music Magazine Award), both conducted by John Andrews.
He has directed for companies including Opera Holland Park, Opera North, Royal Opera House and Scottish Opera, and as Artistic Director of Charles Court Opera. Recent productions have included The Barber of Seville at Wilton’s Music Hall, Ruddigore at Opera Holland Park and Dewi in the Deep at ROH, a co-production with CCO and The Opera Story.
Previously for ENO:  Alcindoro La bohème: Drive & Live, Captain Corcoran HMS Pinafore and The Lord Chancellor Iolanthe

Career Highlights

Notable engagements elsewhere: Leporello Don Giovanni, Fotis The Greek Passion, Sarastro The Magic Flute, Angelotti Tosca, Armchair/Tree L’Enfant et les sortilèges, Carl Olsen Street Scene, Alidoro La Cenerentola (Opera North); Count Horn Un ballo in maschera, Leporello, Colline La bohème, Count Horn, the silent role of Sante Il segreto di Susanna, Immigration Officer Flight (Opera Holland Park); Second Gunman Kiss Me, Kate (Opera North, WNO at the Edinburgh Festival, London Coliseum and Ravenna Festival, Italy).

Last updated: 5th June 2024