Philip Venables studied at Cambridge University, the Royal Academy of Music London, and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and was Doctoral Composer in Residence at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 2014–2016. His work covers opera, music theatre, and multimedia concert works, all with a focus on text and storytelling. He has written four award-winning operas and a number of multi-media concert pieces, noted for their strong musical dramaturgy and innovative interaction between text and music.

During his stay at Villa Aurora, Philip Venables will be working on a major new opera for the 2027/28 season. The opera will be an adaptation of a famous novel, adapted by playwright Nina Segal.

Selected Works/Recitals
Opera/Music Theatre:
2025 | We Are The Lucky Ones (Text: Ted Huffman & Nina Segal) for 8 singers and orchestra, WP: Dutch National Opera
2023 | The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions (Text: Ted Huffman, based on the novel by Larry Mitchell & Ned Asta) for 15 performers, WP: Manchester International Festival
2019 | Denis & Katya (Text: Ted Huffman) for mezzo-soprano, bariton and 4 celli, sound and video, WP: Opera Philadelphia
2016 | 4.48 Psychosis (Text: Sarah Kane), for 6 singers and 12 players, sound and video, WP: The Royal Opera London

Compositions for Orchestra:
2018 | Venables plays Bach, a radio-drama for violin, orchestra and tape, WP: BBC Proms/Pekka Kuusisto

Solo Compositions:
2022 Answer Machine Tape, 1987 (with audio material from the Estate of David Wojnarowicz) for piano, sound and text projection, WP: Time of Music Festival, Finland

Selected Discography
2018 | Below the Belt, NMC Recordings

Selected Awards
2020 | Ivor Novello Award for Best Stage Work
2019 | Fedora-Generali Prize for Opera
2017 | Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Large-Scale Composition
2017 | British Composer Award for Best Stage Work
2016 | Awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London for Achievement in Composition
2016 | UK Theatre Award for Best Opera