James McCarthy (b. 1979) is a composer of opera, concert music, ballet music and music for theatre and has a rapidly-growing reputation both in the UK and abroad. He studied composition with Simon Holt, Alasdair Nicolson, Brian Lock and Philip Cashian. He has received numerous commissions from many ensembles and musicians, including: Scottish Opera,  Canty, William Taylor, the Aberlour House Senior Choir and TangoDuo. Canty will be releasing From the Song of Solomon (James’s composition for four sopranos and clarsach) on Linn Records in Autumn 2008. James has recently been commissioned by Scottish Opera to write a new opera for their 2008/9 season.  He lives in the Scottish Highlands.