Opera Scotland

John Holland-Avery Suggest updates

English baritone.

Following a surprising introduction to choral singing at St. Peter's Church, Staines, John Holland-Avery later became a choirboy at the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court during which time he was cast as Third Boy in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte at Royal Opera House under Sir Colin Davis. Adolescence ensued, and following unsuccessful stints in rock and metal bands at school, he dedicated himself to singing classically and went on to hold choral scholarships at St Luke's, Chelsea, Portsmouth Cathedral and then at York Minster. Whilst at York, he studied at the University for a BA (Hons) in Music, taking part in many operatic productions, such as, Mozart's The Magic Flute, Strauss' Die Fledermaus, Weber's Der Freischütz, and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, the latter of which he has performed the title hero in Eboracum Baroque's productions at 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the 2013 Grimeborn Opera Festival. Since September 2012, he has been the Bass Lay Clerk at St John's College, Cambridge, taking part in tours and BBC broadcasts. In September of this year, John is starting a postgraduate vocal studies at the RNCM, Manchester, and shall be training with a view to going into opera. 

August 2014