Biography

Originally from Levens in the Lake District, John studied Theology at Durham University and taught Religious Studies before training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the National Opera Studio.

 John has worked for many of the UK’s leading Opera companies big and small - including Glyndebourne, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera and English National Opera. Operatic roles include title role Imeneo with Baroque Encounter, Danilo The Merry Widow and Leporello Don Giovanni for Opera della Luna, Pirate King The Pirates of Penzance for the International G&S Festival and Sacristan Tosca, Amantio Gianni Schicchi, Morales Carmen, Frank Die Fledermaus for Opera Holland Park and March Hare and the White Knight in Will Todd’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House.

 Concert performances include Bach Christmas Oratorio and Stainer Crucifixion in Germany; Elgar Dream of Gerontius in Iasi, Romania; C.P.E. Bach Magnificat in Dunblane Cathedral, Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony in Chichester Cathedral, Handel Messiah in Carlisle, Liverpool and Portsmouth Cathedrals, Vaughan Williams’ Mystical Songs in Rochester Cathedral, ‘Pink Champagne’ and HMS Pinafore with the RLPO, Mozart Requiem in the Royal Albert Hall, Rachmaninov The Bells in Southampton Guildhall, Britten War Requiem in Kendal and the Celebrant in Bernstein’s Mass at The Anvil, Basingstoke.

 Future performances include Bartolo The Barber of Seville for New Arts; further performances of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland for Opera Holland Park and a tour of a musical variety act featuring the work of Flanders & Swann and Hinge & Bracket.