He studied at the University of Barcelona and the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu. At the Liceu he was mentored by Aita Donostia with whom he studied music theory, music composition, and orchestration.
He became a successful composer writing symphonic works, chamber music, choral music, operas, art songs, and songs for solo piano. Foreign many years he taught composition at the University of Barcelona and wrote music reviews for El Paíson He died in Barcelona.
Manuel Valls is the composer of the music of "El Cant del Barça", the official anthem of Football Club Barcelona.