Christopher Vale

Christopher Vale studied at the Royal College of Music under Kerry Camden, where he won the Arthur Somerville Bassoon Prize.

Prior to joining the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera as Sub-principal bassoon and principal contra bassoon, he freelanced in London. He was principal Bassoon with the New Sadler’s Wells Opera and Ballet and worked for the Cuban, Australian and Houston Ballet Companies. His contra bassoon work has included Welsh National Opera productions of Wozzeck, the Wagner Ring Cycle, Salome and Elektra. As a guest he has worked with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of St Johns Smith Square, and has recently been working for S4C film music and BBC Radio Four on both bassoon and contra bassoon.

After thirty years at Welsh National Opera he has recently returned to freelance playing as well as working on education projects and as an arranger. He is chairman of the board of Ensemble Cambrica.

He was involved as coach and conductor with the Welsh National Opera youth opera, performing The Mikado, Sweeney Todd and Kommilitonen by Peter Maxwell-Davies.

Christopher also has helped to start the training orchestra at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Junior Conservatoire where he has also been Acting Head.