Internationally renowned baritone Donald Maxwell has joined the board of Cardiff-based Welsh National Opera.
Donald has been a professional opera singer for more than 45 years, having made his WNO debut in 1982. Over the next 35 years he gave over 500 performances with the company, in 30 different roles notably as the title chaacter in Verdi's Falstaff, Iago in Otello, Golaud in Pelleas and Melisande and Somarone, the inebriated music master, in Beatrice and Benedict. He has also been closely associated with WNO audiences as president of the WNO Friends.
Originally from Perth in Scotland, he has lived for more than 30 years in South Wales. As well as his strong connection to WNO, Donald's international career has taken him to La Scala in Milan, the Vienna Staatsoper, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, the Salzburg Easter Festival as well as a continuing link with the Metropolitan Opera in New York.Â
He was Director of the National Opera Studio for seven years and Head of Opera Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. He has also directed opera and has a keen interest in the development and training of young artists.
Donald said: "Welsh National Opera has been a central part of my life for over 40 years and I had the good fortune to perform some wonderful roles with the company. These are now challenging times for opera and for performers, and I'm looking forward to helping WNO meet these challenges – and also making sure the company's marvellous work over the last 75 years continues to inspire and delight."