John Metcalf at 80 — a Tour of Wales

This August, the Nantwen Ensemble celebrates a special milestone: acclaimed Welsh composer John Metcalf MBE turns 80
. We're marking the occasion with a short tour across Wales, joined throughout by harpist Alis Huws
, former Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales, performing a programme of John's most-loved chamber works.

Born in Swansea in 1946, John Metcalf is one of the most distinguished composers working in Wales today. His body of work spans opera, orchestral music, choral music and chamber music. He has also been a long and generous friend to Nantwen — his String Quintet Songs without Words, commissioned with support from Tŷ Cerdd, premiered at the Nantwen Chamber Music Festival in 2023.

Four of John's works feature across the tour:

• Songs without Words — String Quintet (commissioned by Nantwen, funded by Tŷ Cerdd)
• Mapping Wales — for String Quartet and Harp (commissioned by Lampeter Music Club)
• Paths of Song

Thursday 6 August — National Eisteddfod, Y Garreg Las, Pembrokeshire. Find out more

Friday 7 August, 6.30pm — Peppers, Fishguard. With Ynys Las (David Pepper). Book now

Saturday 8 August, 2pm — All Saints Church, Cellan, Lampeter. With Alis Huws, for Lampeter Music Club. Seating limited, tickets required. Find out more

Sunday 9 August, 3pm — St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major. With Alis Huws. Tickets £15 (+booking fee). Find out more

The tour opens on Nantwen's home patch as the National Eisteddfod arrives in Pembrokeshire, and closes at the medieval church of St Illtud's — one of the oldest Christian sites in Wales — a fitting close to a celebration of eight decades of one of Wales's finest musical voices.