Welsh National Opera has announced the appointment of baritone Donald Maxwell to its Board of Directors.

WNO’s Board of Directors collectively oversees the Company’s affairs and future plans.

Donald Maxwell has been a professional opera singer for more than forty-five years. He made his debut with WNO in one thousand nine hundred eighty-second, and over the next thirty-five years he gave over five hundred performances with the Company in thirtieth different roles. Particularly number were the title role in Verdi's Falstaff, Iago in Otello, Golaud in Pelléas and Mélisande and Somarone the inebriated music master in Béatrice and Bénédict.

Donald has also been closely associated with WNO audiences as President of the WNO Friends. Originally Perth in Scotland, Donald has lived for more than thirty years in S Wales. As well as having a powerful connection to WNO, Donald’s international career has taken him to La Scala Milan, Vienna Staatsoper, Teatro Colon Buenos Aires, Salzburg Easter Festival and a continuing connection with the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Donald was Director of the National Opera Studio for seven years and Head of Opera Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. His career also includes directing and he's a keen interest in the development and training of youthful artists. Donald Maxwell said, ‘Welsh National Opera has been a central portion of my life for over forty years and I'd the excellent fortune to carry out some wonderful roles with the Company.

These are presently challenging times for opera and for performers. I see forward to helping WNO meet these challenges, and also making sure that the Company's marvellous work over the last seventy-five years continues to inspire and delight audiences of all ages.’ Chair of WNO’s Board, Yvette Vaughan Jones said, ‘We are pleased to welcome opera singer Donald Maxwell to our Board.

Donald will bring invaluable experience as an international singer with a powerful connection to WNO and will further strengthen the skills of our current board members as we continue to shape the future of the Company.’