Vindene

James Garner is a composer whose music has been described as “utterly accomplished in all respects” (Dame Judith Weir) and praised for its “warmth, sincerity and tension” (Bachtrack). His works have been performed in the UK and internationally.

James has a deep affinity for vocal and theatrical music, having written multiple pieces for the stage. In 2017, his first chamber opera, East o’ the Sun, West o’ the Moon, received its North American premiere in Montreal, and in 2020 he collaborated on The Opera Story’s digital series Episodes, which won an RPS Inspiration Award. He has previously been commissioned by English Touring Opera (for whom he wrote his second opera, Dust Child), The Opera Story, and Tête à Tête. His next major work and first full-length opera, Much Ado, is based on Shakespeare’s original play and was previewed for the Association for Opera in Canada. It is commissioned by Opera McGill, who will give its world premiere in 2026/27 at the Monument-National in Montréal.

James’s music has also been performed at festivals and series, including the Kings Place Festival, Borough New Music, Richmond Concert Series, and Song in the City. Much of his recent output has consisted of solo and chamber music, including a new work for the guitarist George Tarlton, and a chamber commission from the Orchestra of Opera North. In 2024, he curated a programme of new and devised music at the historic Old Church Stoke Newington, in collaboration with Owen Spafford, Alex Lyon, Hania Woźniak and Carla Huhtanen. Future projects include a song cycle for the soprano Elisabeth Boudreault, and a new collection of solo piano pieces for Joseph Havlat.

James is in regular demand in the UK as a composer for participatory and outreach projects, and has mentored students in music facilitation and opera-making at institutions including the Royal Academy, Royal College of Music, Guildhall School and Oxford University. He has also worked as a conductor and music assistant for the Barbican Centre, Royal Opera House, Royal Festival Hall and BBC Four. He is a regular guest artist on McGill University’s opera programme.

This Spring, James is composing a film opera short with the Canadian novelist Lisa Moore for Opera on the Avalon’s New Commission Series, and leading participatory projects for Turtle Key Arts in association with the Royal College, Oxford University, and the V&A Museum.

James graduated from the Guildhall School with the Muriel Dawson/Mary Ryan Award for Composition. He is also a recent graduate from the Royal Academy, where he studied with David Sawer and additionally with Hans Abrahamsen, supported by the Munster Trust. Previously, James was co-founder and music director of workshOPERA, who were nominated for a New British Music Theatre Award.

His work has been generously supported by the Arts Council and the Maria Björnson Fund.

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Vindene

James Garner • Composer