Conductor Matthew Kofi Waldren’s detailed, energetic, forward-looking, and collaborative approach to musical leadership has led to trusted and creative partnerships with the UK’s finest orchestras, opera houses and conservatories in the theatre pit, concert hall and recording studio.

Matthew’s work has twice been nominated at the Olivier Awards (2024, 2019) as well as the Black British Theatre Awards (2023). He is renowned for his work as an opera conductor, receiving particular acclaim for his work in the Italian repertoire (Press & Reviews). Matthew’s body of work is varied and diverse: Alongside a deep knowledge of, and commitment to, the core repertoire, Matthew conducts World, UK and Welsh premieres, soundtracks for film and television, works across different genres, and also embraces work that champions opportunity for inclusion and that celebrates voices and stories historically underrepresented in Classical Music (Projects).

In recent seasons Matthew has collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of English National Opera, Orchestra of Opera North, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Orchestra of Scottish Opera, London Mozart Players, City of London Sinfonia, Sinfonia Smith Square and Sinfonia Viva in addition to working with student conductors, orchestras and singers at Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Recent and forthcoming engagements include Simon Boccanegra (Company TBA), Don Carlo (Glyndebourne Sinfonia/Fai da te, Cadogan Hall), Black Resonance (DECCA), An Evening at the Opera/An Afternoon at the Opera (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra); King’s Lynn Festival Closing Concert (Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra); Chineke! Celebrates a Decade, The Eyes of Ghana, The Afro-American Symphony (Chineke! Orchestra), Celebrating Puccini at 100 (BBCCO, BBC Radio 3 Friday Night is Music Night); The Chevalier (London Philharmonic Orchestra); Opera’s Greatest Hits (CBSO); From Dusk to Dawn, An Afternoon of Overtures (Sinfonia Smith Square); Poulenc and Duruflé (Sinfonia Viva); HMS Pinafore, Blue, Paul Bunyan, Le nozze di Figaro (English National Opera); Ainadamar, Migrations, Music from the Heart Concert Tour (Welsh National Opera); Don Giovanni, La bohème, La petite bohème, Les pêcheurs de perles (Opera North); La fanciulla del West, La traviata, Tosca, Un ballo in maschera, La rondine, La bohème, Lakmé, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Les pêcheurs de perles, Gianni Schicchi, Zanetto, Rigoletto, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Fantastic Mr Fox (Opera Holland Park); Il barbiere di Siviglia, L’elisir d’amore, La cenerentola (West Green House Opera); Cavalleria Rusticana, Silvano, I due Foscari (Chelsea Opera Group, Cadogan Hall); Die Zauberflöte, Flight, Les mamelles de Tirésias, Gianni Schicchi (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Opera), The Snowmaiden (RNCM Opera), Pelléas et Mélisande (Scottish Opera), Yeomen of the Guard (G&S Opera Company)..