William Savage

Savage first came to prominence as a boy treble in 1735, singing in a revival of Handel's Athalia and in Alcina during the composer's Covent Garden season.

[1] The role of Oberto in Alcina was specially composed with his voice in mind and was added to the score at a later time in order just to cast him.

[2] After his voice had broken, he initially continued his career singing as an alto (countertenor), and later turned into a bass.

[1] The description of his pupil R. J. S. Stevens is more complimentary: he describes Savage as possessing "a pleasant voice of two octaves", and details that Savage sang with "clear articulation, perfect intonation, great volubility of voice, and chaste and good expression".

[1] In 1740 Savage was elected organist of Finchley Church; in 1744 he became a bass (gentleman-in-ordinary) in the Chapel Royal's choir and in 1748 he was appointed Vicar Choral, Almoner and Master of the Choristers at St Paul's Cathedral,[5] where he influenced many of the following generation of high-class musicians.