Roderick Hunt sings Alcindoro Benoît
Rod came to the South-West in 2003 from Sheffield where he had helped to create South Yorkshire Opera (1975-1999). Having trained privately as a solo bass, he combines stage appearances with his position as retired Professor in Biosciences at the University of Exeter.
He is now a veteran with a CV of almost 150 stage productions in the UK, Europe and North America
Although an opera specialist, with many Mozart, Verdi and Puccini roles to his credit, Rod’s range also encompasses the more ‘operatic’ types of oratorio, and Gilbert and Sullivan, operetta and musical theatre.
Rod studied with Derbyshire bass-baritone John Dethick, who numbered Roy Henderson among his teachers, and with international bass Ian Comboy, a past pupil of Otakar Kraus.
He is currently a Trustee of Devon Opera, Tarnhelm Opera and Bath Opera.
How did you get involved in Devon Opera? Through personal contacts back in 2004.
How are you involved in our production of La bohème? I’m singing Benoît and Alcindoro as one combined character.
Do you do anything else for Devon Opera? I’ve been a trustee of the company since 2012 and have also appeared in a few of its productions, e.g. as Commendatore (Don Giovanni), Bonze (Madama Butterfly), Zuniga (Carmen), Sparafucile (Rigoletto), and Douphol (La traviata).
Why do you think Opera is important for Devon? Why shouldn’t Devon enjoy the pinnacle of all art forms?
What are you currently working on besides Devon Opera? I’ve just finished doing Commendatore (Don Giovanni) for Bath Opera and will do Banquo (Macbeth) with Bristol Opera just ahead of the Devon Opera Bohème.
Do you have any unexpected or surprising talents outside of music? The other half of my dual career is being retired Professor of Biosciences at Exeter University, where I am still involved with publishing plant science research.
Beach or woodland walk? Ooh, a bit of both, please.
Indian or Thai Curry? Always Thai.
Mozart, Monteverdi or Massenet? I wouldn’t be without any of them, although Massenet isn’t that great for basses.
What is your favourite Book and why? The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. So much embedded wisdom.
Dogs or Cats? Neither, sorry.
What is your favourite Film? The Godfather Part II.
Your Desert Island luxury? Ah, so it’s back to the day job! Strictly speaking, a ‘desert’ island has near-zero primary productivity so I’d expect to die in pretty short order. But if the island is simply ‘deserted’, then a solar-powered music system would come in handy.
What is your musical guilty pleasure? Roy Orbison.
And most importantly, what is your favourite Opera and why? That would have to be Der Ring des Nibelungen (although the mind can wander a bit during parts of Siegfried). Epic storytelling that spawned so many copycats.