Opera Singer Donald Maxwell has joined the Board of the Welsh National Opera.

Maxwell has been a professional opera singer for more than 45 years. He made his debut with WNO in 1982, and over the next 35 years, he has given over 500 performances with the Company in 30 different roles.

He is well-known for the title role of Verdi’s Falstaff, Iago in “Otello,” Golaud in “Pelléas and Mélisande” and Somarone in “Béatrice and Bénédict.” He has also been closely associated with WNO audiences as President of the WNO Friends.

Maxwell has also performed at the Teatro alla Scala Milan, Vienna Staatsoper, Teatro Colon Buenos Aires, Salzburg Easter Festival, and Metropolitan Opera.

Maxwell has also been the Director of the National Opera Studio for seven years and Head of Opera Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

In a statement, Maxwell 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.  I look forward to helping WNO meet these challenges, and also making sure that the Company’s marvelous work over the last 75 years continues to inspire and delight audiences of all ages.”