close up portrait of john savournin

John Savournin

Bass-baritone

British Bass-baritone and Director John Savournin’s 2022/23 season includes returns to Scottish Opera as José Tripaldi in the UK premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar, to Opera North as the Major Domo & Truffaldino in Ariadne auf Naxos, where he also writes and directs a new families version of The Cunning Little Vixen.  The summer marks his debut at Garsington Opera as Micha in The Bartered Bride, and a return to Opera Holland Park to sing Sir Despard in, and direct, Ruddigore – the third co-production with Charles Court Opera, of which he is the Artistic Director.  CCO also tours his intimate productions of The Mikado and Express G&S.  In concert, he sings Messiah for Gloucester Cathedral, and Judas in Elgar’s The Apostles at the Three Choirs Festival.  Rounding off the season, he curates a G&S Walking Tour in London, for English National Opera.  He was a finalist in the International Opera Awards for his work as a Director in the 2021/22 season.

In the 2023/24 season, John will return to ENO as the Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe and make his debut with the Nederlandse Reisopera as the Hotel Manager/Duke in Powder her face.  He will also direct CCO’s next pantomime, Odyssey: A heroic pantomime at Jermyn Street Theatre.  More engagements TBA, including projects with Opera North, Opera Holland Park, Garsington Opera and CCO.

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: 2nd October 2023