Swansea born John Metcalf is a leading Welsh composer of his generation. A joint UK/Canadian citizen, his composing career embraces a large variety of work including seven operas – two to commission from Welsh National Opera. His most recent opera, Under Milk Wood, was produced by an international consortium led by the Taliesin Arts Centre for the 2014 Dylan Thomas Centenary Festival. It received great critical acclaim, and is recorded on Tŷ Cerdd Records.

 

He also has an extensive catalogue of works for solo instrument and orchestra, including Paradise Haunts, Mapping Wales and Cello Symphony, and has written a significant amount of chamber music. His solo piano work Endless Song has been widely performed and broadcast. His music is well represented in a growing catalogue of recordings.

 

John Metcalf has been Artistic Director of the award-winning Vale of Glamorgan Festival since its inception in 1969. He has led creative music projects in more than 150 schools across Wales, reflecting his belief in an active, participatory role for the composer in society.

 

In 1999 his music was played during the signing, by Her Majesty the Queen, of the Act bringing into being Wales's first elected Assembly for 500 years, and in the 2012 New Year’s Honours List he was awarded an MBE for services to music.