2016 Performer Profiles:

No.2 – Oliver Hunt (bass)

Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2016 Southwell Music Festival.

“The very high standard of Festival performances is due to the quality of our visiting musicians. I thought our audiences would enjoy getting to know some of these very special players and singers so are publishing a short series of profiles in the days leading up to the Festival. We are delighted to welcome back Oliver Hunt this year. He is a long standing friend and colleague of Marcus and, in addition, was in the same year at university as me!

Please introduce yourself

“I’m singing bass in the Southwell Festival Voices – which means I’ll be busy taking part in the late night choral programme Modern meets Mediaeval, Gerontius, and the two church services on Sunday, as well as Monteverdi Madrigals in the lunchtime recital on Friday.

“I was born in London, grew up in Oxford and read music at Trinity College, Cambridge. Since then I’ve studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Wales International Academy of Voice, and my current work involves everything from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary opera.

“I’m married to mezzo Carris Jones, and we’ve both been performing at Southwell since the Festival began; our 18-month-old son Robin is back for his second year!

“When not singing or parenting, I’m an avid follower of sport, particularly cricket and rugby, and during the Festival week will be exploring the Nottinghamshire countryside on some long runs as part of training for a marathon.”

What piece are you most looking forward to singing at the festival this year?

“It’s got to be Britten’s Sacred and Profane, which I first (and last) performed with Trinity College Choir about 15 years ago. Such an atmospheric and dramatic set of pieces, although given their difficulty I’m hoping I can remember how they go!”

What exciting projects do you have coming up after the festival?

“I have a long-term plan for putting together and staging a programme of songs, which I’m hoping to get off the ground next year. I’m also going to start training as a therapist alongside my musical career, with a particular interest in the psychology of performance. I’ve just discovered that there’s an organised run along the 86 miles of the Ridgeway, so am investigating what the training demands…”