Lyrics, libretti, life.

Grahame Davies is a highly sought-after opera librettist and lyricist for some of the world's best-known composers and performers in genres spanning classical, contemporary, musical theatre and folk. 

For more than twenty years, Grahame Davies has worked with some of the most prominent composers and performers in the world of opera and classical music, providing the words for occasions including the Coronation of King Charles III and a host of major celebrations and commemorations.  If you have a project you want to discuss, get in touch.

Classical compositions

  • 2025: 'The Signs Still Point the Way', written by Sir Karl Jenkins for the of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers, is a Radio Three 'Sounds of the Century' commission to mark the first 25 years of the millennium.
  • 2025: 'A Day May Come', anthem for 50th anniversary of VE Day, with music by Debbie Wiseman and performed by Voces 8, reaches Number One in iTunes classical downloads.
  • 2024: 'Send the Angels Again', choral work for composer Jago Thornton and Suzi Digby’s VOCE Chamber Choir premiered at St George’s Bloomsbury, November 8th
  • 2024: In Primum Non Nocere, based on the Hippocratic Oath, commissioned by the Royal Society of Medicine to music by Paul Mealor and performed by ORA Singers at the Grosvenor Chapel.
  • 2024: The Spark of Life, commissioned by the Royal Humane Society to music by Nigel Hess and performed at St Paul's Cathedral.
  • 2023: 'The Saviour in the Shawl', Christmas carol by Sarah Class recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the BBC Singers.
  • 2023: 'Windrush' by Debbie Wiseman, with words by Grahame Davies, is recorded by Sir Willard White to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush.
  • 2023: 'Sacred Fire', commission by King Charles III for The Coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6th, with music by Sarah Class and words by Grahame Davies is performed by South African soprano Pretty Yende.
  • 2023: 'Coeden Cyfiawnder / The Justice Tree' by Edward-Rhys Harry with words by Grahame Davies, commissioned for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association Conference, held in Cardiff.
  • 2023: 'Three Things', song by Paul Mealor to words by Grahame Davies receives world premiere, performed by Apolllo 5 at Cadogan Hall in London on June 2nd, in Vox Anima London's concert 'The Music and Lineage of Paul Mealor'.
  • 2023: 'Today We Ask', anthem commissioned for a Coronation Celebration at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, London, to music by composer Peter Boyer, performed by Ora Singers.
  • 2022: 'Unitas in Sapienta', anthem for Goodenough College, London, set to music by Jamie Wesley.
  • 2022: 'A Welsh Prayer' performed at the Service of Remembrance for Her Majesty The Queen, Llandaff Cathedral, September 16, in the presence of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort.
  • Composer Celia Harper sets Grahame Davies’s poem ‘Prayer for the Dying’ to music, performed by Chiswick Baroque at Church of St Vincent de Paul, West London.
  • 2022: 'This Faithful Life', by Sir Karl Jenkins, commissioned by Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts for a Jubilee Concert on October 29.
  • 2022: 'What Time Has Taught', choral work, by Roderick Williams, commissioned for the Platinum Jubilee and performed at The Queen's Chapel, London, May 30, by Roderick Williams and the Gentlemen of The Chapel Royal.
  • 2022: 'A Blessing for Bendigeidfran', by Edward-Rhys Harry, commissioned by London Welsh Male Voice Choir, performed at St David's Cathedral, on May 7th.
  • 2022: 'O Beata Trinitas', by Grahame Davies and Paul Mealor, is performed at the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd. Andy John, at Bangor Cathedral on April 30.
  • 2022: 'Per Ardua Ad Astra', hymn commissioned by the Royal Air Force, for composer Paul Mealor, premiered at Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall, April 11.
  • 2022: Poem and reading on the music video for the song 'Blackbird' by composer and songwriter Sarah Class
  • 2021 Song commission 'Between the Valley and the Sea' with Robert Arwyn for Barry Male Voice Choir.
  • 2021. Song commission 'The Blessing of Belonging' with Paul Mealor for Cantorion Rhos conducted by Matthias Wurz.
  • 2020. "Stronger for the Storm", composed with Paul Mealor for the international peace project iPlay4Peace.
  • 2020. Commission of 'Song of the Oceans' with Paul Mealor for 'Science Sings' at the University of Aberdeen honorary degree ceremony, January 2020. Later recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2021.
  • 2019. Premiere of 'Song for Samhain' by composer Celia Harper for the Music and Silence concert by Chiswick Baroque at the church of St Vincent de Paul, Osterley, London, November 3rd 2019.
  • 2018 'A Song for the Lord Mayor of London', by Paul Carroll for the Commonwealth Children's Choir to mark the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London.
  • 2017. Carol by composer Jack Oades, with words by Grahame Davies, performed at St Bride's, Fleet Street, London, on December 21st
  • 2017. 'Propempticon' by Grahame Davies set to music by Kevin Hutchings, the Canadian singer-songwriter, for his new album Watershed Sessions.
  • 2017 Words for 'Jack', a song by Paul Carroll with words by Grahame Davies in memory of Jack Cornwell, who won the VC at the Battle of Jutland in 1916, performed by the Commonwealth Youth Choir and the band of the Coldstream Guards, in Horseguards Parade, London, to mark Commonwealth Day.
  • 2016 'Wrth Ddwr a Thân / By Water and Fire', composed by Paul Mealor with words by Grahame Davies commissioned for the opening of the Fifth National Assembly for Wales by Her Majesty The Queen, Y Senedd, Cardiff, June 7, 2016.
  • 2016 Words for section of new choral work 'Jubilate Deo' by Paul Mealor for The Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International, conducted by the Grammy-nominated Dr James Jordan, at Carnegie Hall, New York.
  • 2016 Words for new choral work by Paul Carroll for the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen for the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir.
  • 2015 Settings of 'Weather Forecast', 'Waiting' and 'Propempticon' by composer Celia Harper, performed by mezzo soprano Claire Bradshaw and violinist David Juritz at Burton Bradstock Festival in Dorset
  • 2014: Words for 'Spirit of Hope' by Paul Mealor to mark 20 years of democracy in South Africa, premiered in Cape Town in April with Only Kids Aloud and Bryn Terfel.
  • 2013: Words for 'A Welsh Prayer' by Paul Mealor to mark the 65th birthday of HRH The Prince of Wales, at North Wales Music Festival, St Asaph.
  • 2013: 'When you have to leave"' set to music by Canadian singer-songwriter Kevin Hutchings for the album, Shadows in the Light.
  • 2011: Words for part of the score by Sir Karl Jenkins for the BBC Wales television history series, The Story of Wales.
  • 2011: Words for 'Benedictus' in Celtic Mass by U.S. choral and orchestral composer Ben Allaway
  • 2010: 'Homecoming' set to music by Canadian singer-songwriter Kevin Hutchings for the album, Light to Shine.
  • 2010: Words based on sacred literature from several religions for a new setting of the Gloria by Sir Karl Jenkins, performed for the first time in the Royal Albert Hall, London, July 11, 2010.
  • 2009 English words for a recording of Sir Karl Jenkins' 'Cantilena' by the pop star Rhydian for the album O Fortuna on the Syco Label.
  • 2009: Words for a new commissioned choral work by Sir Karl Jenkins, 'Ysbrydoliaeth' ('Inspiration') performed at the Wales Millennium Centre, November 14.
  • 2009: Words for 'O Beata Trinitas' for Sir Karl Jenkins to mark university status of Trinity College, Carmarthen.
  • 2009 Several poems set to music for album of Kevin Hutchings, Canada, On the Bridge You Were Burning.
  • 2008: Commission to provide words and translations for a new setting of the Stabat Mater by Sir Karl Jenkins as part of the events for European City of Culture, Liverpool, 2008. Published on album Stabat Mater (EMI Classics).
  • 2008: Lyrics for a number of songs for the album Adnodau gyda Blodau for the rock band Catsgam.
  • 2007: Welsh words for a new setting of the Largo from the New World Symphony by Dvorak, and for a new setting of 'Cantilena', by Sir Karl Jenkins on album This Land of Ours (EMI Classics).
  • 2007: Panellist on day school on the libretto, for Academi and Music Theatre Wales.
  • 2006: Welsh translation of 'The Mystics' performed by Dame Kiri te Kanawa on the Karl Jenkins album Kiri Sings Karl. (EMI Classics).
  • 2006: Poems set to music by rock band Malarki on album Malarki.
  • 2005: Sir Karl Jenkins album, Requiem, (EMI Classics), including a setting of the poem 'Llwyd', reaches Number One in the classical charts.
  • 2005: Commission from Opus and Barcud Derwen for opera libretto Taliesin for Sir Karl Jenkins.

Opera and major choral works

  • 2025: Opera, Gresffordd: I'r Goleuni Nawr, with music by Jon Guy, performed in all-Welsh language version on the mainstage at National Eisteddfod of Wales in Wrexham.
  • 2024: Four short operas: Caravaggio; War Requiem; The Canonisation of Derek Jarman and Wittgenstein, for the JAM on the Marsh Festival, with Jago Thornton; Roseanna Dunn, Sam Buttler and Toby Anderson.
  • 2023: 'Gelert', opera by Paul Mealor and Grahame Davies performed in Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A., August 4-5.
  • 2022:  Libretto for community Opera Gelert with Paul Mealor for the North Wales International Music Festival, September 24.
  • 2024: Simffoni Mara, choral work for composer Paul Mealor premiered at St David's Cathedral by Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion.
  • 2023: Y Ddwy Chwaer (The Two Sisters), commissioned for the St David's Cathedral Festival for the Ancient Connections project with Paul Mealor, performed by Ar Log at the Cathedral on March 4.
  • 2022: Libretto for Gorau Awen Gwirionedd, Choral Symphony with Eilir Owen-Griffiths, commissioned for the bicentenary of the University of Wales Trinity St David, November 12.
  • 2022. Choral work, 'In This Place' with Paul Mealor, commissioned by Marlborough College and premiered on March 20, 2022.
  • 2021. Musical theatre show Adre' Dros 'Dolig / Home for Christmas with Eilir Owen-Griffiths for Côr CF1 and MA students of University of Wales Trinity St David.
  • 2021. Commission'Between the Stormclouds and the Sea', with Jack Oades to celebrate Romney Marsh for the JAM on the Marsh Festival in Kent, premiered in July 2021.
  • 2020. Commission, 'O Beata Trinitas' with Paul Mealor to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the Church in Wales, premiered at special service at St Davids Cathedral in July 2021 in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales.
  • 2020. Commission of new sequence of poems in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to accompany a performance of Faure's Requiem at the JAM on the Marsh Festival in Kent, to be premiered August 14, 2020.
  • 2020. Commission with Paul Mealor to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland, for performance in April 2021.
  • 2018. The Souls of the Righteous' New York premiere of Mass by Paul Mealor to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice commissioned by the Chapel Royal of Scotland, Carnegie Hall, New York, November 11.
  • 2018. 'A Glasgow Elegy' premiere of new choral work by Tom Harrold with words by Grahame Davies to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice, commissioned by Glasgow University, Glasgow, November 10.
  • 2018. 'The Souls of the Righteous' Edinburgh premiere of Mass by Paul Mealor with words by Grahame Davies to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice commissioned by the Chapel Royal of Scotland, Edinburgh, September 22.
  • 2018. 'Voices of Vimy' London premiere St Bride's, Fleet Street, and broadcast in full on BBC Radio 3.
  • 2017 'Voices of Vimy', words for commission to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge with composers Tom Harrold and Stuart Beatch, with words by Grahame Davies for Pro Coro Canada and the JAM Festival.
  • 2017 'Gorffwysgan Hedd Wyn', by Paul Mealor, with words by Grahame Davies, commissioned by the National Eisteddfod of Wales to commemorate the centenary of the death of the Welsh war poet Hedd Wyn.
  • 2016 'The Shadows of War', by Paul Mealor, Welsh premiere at St David's Hall, Cardiff, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.
  • 2016 'The Shadows of War', a new commission by Paul Mealor with words by Grahame
  • 2012: Words for 'The Hero's Journey', a new choral work by Sir Karl Jenkins, performed by a 500-voice male choir at Royal Festival Hall, London, on July 7, 2012, and a 1,000-voice choir at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on October 13, 2012.
  • 2012: Words for multi-media project about Gelligaer Common with visual artist Gigi Jones, composer Mervyn Burtch and poet Tony Curtis.
  • Davies to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Jam on the Marsh Festival, New Romney, Kent, with the London Mozart Players and the Mousai Singers.

Beginning your commission

If you have a musical project you would like to discuss, please get in touch. 

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