Music Makers: with John Savournin, Bass-Baritone, Director, Producer

Arias we love and live with

We are delighted to welcome bass-baritone John Savournin, an acclaimed singer, director, and creative leader celebrated for his versatility, theatrical imagination, and magnetic stage presence. Hailed as an exquisite comic performer with presence in spades, he is a multi-faceted creative force working across performance, direction, and production, bringing exceptional artistry, storytelling, and insight to every project.

Aria you hum round the house / sing in the shower

It’s usually an ear worm that’s lodged in there and, frequently, it is something I don’t/can’t sing.  And not always opera either.  In fact it rarely is!  Yesterday, it was "Let the bright Seraphim" (Samson).  Today, it was "No more giants" from Into the Woods.

First aria you remember learning

The Judge’s song from Trial by Jury, aged around 11.

Aria you rely on professionally

I often sing Bottom’s Dream from Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in auditions.  But I should salute a selection of Sullivan arias from the G&S canon in terms of arias I find myself singing regularly in performance - most recently, "Fair moon, to thee I sing" (HMS Pinafore).

Last piece of music you deliberately chose to listen to

Samson, as I have been learning Harapha for a concert performance.

Aria you feel most emotionally connected to

I don’t sing it, but Philip’s aria from Don Carlos, “Ella giammai m'amò“.  So heartbreakingly beautiful.

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

I wish I could sing the Evangelist from the Bach St John Passion - it must be so much fun!


Explore more of John Savournin’s work www.johnsavournin.com