John Parry (Bardd Alaw)

John Parry (18 February 1776 – 8 April 1851), commonly known by his bardic name Bardd Alaw, was a Welsh harpist and composer.

In 1807, he left the band and settled in London, where his son, the entertainer John Orlando Parry, was born.

[3] By 1809, he began to compose and publish vocal compositions, especially ballads, and simple pieces for the harp and piano, as well as duets for flute and other wind instruments.

His associates included Lady Llanover, at whose house he was a guest, Felicia Hemans, with whom he collaborated, and Maria Jane Williams, who worked with him on The Welsh Harper.

He also wrote parts of several operas and other pieces; adapted the music to an opera of Ivanhoe, performed at Covent Garden Theatre; and composed over three hundred songs, duets, and other pieces, especially for the harp, piano, flageolet, violin and flute, including almost every genre of music.