Belfast born Stephen McNeff first made his name with his film noir operatic version of The Wasteland (1994) and his many scores for the Unicorn Theatre. Operatic work continued with Gentle Giant for the Royal Opera, and 2117/Hedd Wyn for Welsh National Opera. Aside from composition, Stephen has also served as Chairman of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA). Here he discusses his current work-in- progress Beyond the Garden, a new opera scheduled for performance in 2020.