Waterperry Opera Festival appoints John Savournin as new CEO and Artistic Director
2025 biggest season so far, Handel’s Semele transfers to Opera Holland Park
The Board of Trustees at Waterperry Opera Festival is delighted to announce that John Savournin has been appointed as CEO and Artistic Director with effect from 1 September 2025.
Chair of the Board, Judith Tew, says, ‘John brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and energy to Waterperry to lead the next phase of our rapid growth as a festival and a developer of the next generation of talent in opera. He is passionate about our mission to introduce new audiences to opera and bring on new performers and creatives.’
John Savournin responded to his appointment saying, ‘I have always greatly admired Waterperry Opera Festival, and I look forward to working with co-founders Rebecca Meltzer and Bertie Baigent to build on its success. I’m excited to be a part of shaping Waterperry’s future, from touring and collaboration, the expansion of outreach projects, to new, accessible commissions. Waterperry is a leading light for the future of opera and the vital development of new audiences, and I’m very much looking forward to getting started.’
John Savournin is currently CEO and Artistic Director of Charles Court Opera. He is also one of the opera world’s most versatile creative talents, renowned as a bass-baritone with charisma and comic presence and as a celebrated stage director, working with most of the UK’s national and festival opera companies, and internationally.
Judith Tew also paid tribute to outgoing CEO and Artistic Director, Guy Verrall-Withers, who will leave after this season’s festival. ‘Guy leaves on a high, with our best-selling season ever, one with all the hallmarks of our founding mission impressed into it. A show to introduce children to musical entertainment, a new production of Handel’s Semele that will transfer from Waterperry to Opera Holland Park in London (21 and 22 August), a dramatization of A World Turned Upside Down, in association with Anne Frank Fonds, composed by Juliana Hall, and Don Giovanni on our main stage in front of the eighteenth-century house bringing a classic to new audiences. We will miss Guy’s drive and enthusiasm for the festival he started in a trio of founders only 8 years ago and wish him well.’
About Waterperry Opera Festival
Performances take place outdoors in locations across the beautiful Waterperry Gardens. Having welcomed over 22,500 attendees since 2017, the festival is committed to bringing innovative opera to a new generation of audiences, from all backgrounds. The company has created 36 productions while employing 600 artists. Through workshops and masterclasses, Waterperry Opera Festival improves access to the arts, and brings creativity and classical music to life for young audiences, in line with the mission for more people to try opera and be enriched by it. At the heart of the mission is the Young Artist Programme, empowering the next generation of opera talent with training, mentorship, and performance opportunities.
Seats are still available for some performances at the 2025 summer festival, 8-17 August: Don Giovanni, Semele, Winnie-the-Pooh Songbook, A World Turned Upside Down, Last Night at the Opera, Serenades.
For more information click here.