Wallen, Errollyn

Jun 1

Born April 10, 1958, Errollyn Wallen, a Belize-born British composer and performer, has significantly impacted contemporary classical music with her extensive body of work, including twenty-two operas and numerous orchestral, chamber, and vocal pieces. She was the first black woman featured in the Proms and the first woman to win an Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music. Wallen composed for the 2012 Paralympic Games, the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees, COP 26, and reimagined "Jerusalem" for the 2020 BBC Proms.

In 2022, BBC Radio 3 celebrated her as Composer of the Week, and her documentary "Classical Commonwealth" explored colonialism’s impact on Commonwealth music. Her "Peace on Earth" carol was featured at King’s College, Cambridge.

Wallen founded Ensemble X, known for breaking musical barriers. Their album "PHOTOGRAPHY" was named a Top Ten Classical Album by NPR. Her work "Mighty River" was highlighted in the PRSF New Music Biennial. Wallen collaborated with Sonia Boyce on "Feeling Her Way," which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale.

Her critically acclaimed opera "Dido’s Ghost" premiered at the Barbican in 2021, with its US premiere in 2023. Recent works include a violin concerto, "Dances for Orchestra," and the song cycle "JOY." She is set to debut at Wigmore Hall and release her book "Becoming a Composer" with Faber.

Wallen’s achievements earned her an MBE in 2007 and a CBE in 2020. Residing in a Scottish lighthouse, she continues to innovate and inspire in the classical music world.

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Solo Work(s) for Classical Guitar:

Night Passage. Wallen Publishing, 2013. Contact composer for score.
Three Ships": 1. Sailing, II. Brio, III. Always Sky, IV. Some Trouble, V. My Daddy is a Sailor, VI. Dark Eye. Wallen Publishing, 1998. Contact composer for score.