Music Makers: with Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano

Arias we love and live with

We are delighted to welcome international mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, celebrated for the warmth and intelligence of her performances across the concert platform and operatic stage. Equally at home in Mahler, Britten, and contemporary repertoire, she brings a rare combination of emotional insight, vocal richness, and communicative power to every performance.

1. Aria you hum round the house / sing in the shower

Carmen’s “Habañera”. I never understand people labelling it clichéd. I love how sultry and sinuous it is, plus it’s a great warm up.

2. First aria you remember learning

Cherubino’s “Non so più’ (Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro). It was one of my grade 8 pieces when I was 15. 

3. Aria you rely on professionally

Jezibaba’s “Čury mury fuk” (Dvořák, Rusalka), when she casts a spell to remove Rusalka’s tail along with her voice. There’s something delicious about the words. 

4. Last piece of music you deliberately chose to listen to

Sir James MacMillan’s “O Radiant Dawn”. I would like this sung at my funeral.

5. Aria you feel most emotionally connected to

“Marietta’s Lied” (Korngold, Die tote Stadt). Famed for a reason, it perfectly encapsulates feelings of grief and lost love without it descending into mawkishness. 

6. Aria you wish you could sing / would love to learn next

Madama Butterfly’s final aria “Tu, piccolo iddio”. I’m a Suzuki, not a Butterfly, but I wish I could sing this aria, which is beautiful yet utterly heartbreaking. 

Explore more of Jennifer Johnston’s’ work https://www.jenniferjohnstonmezzo.com/