As a composer, a bit of a clever Dick? (5)
I believe the answer is:
verdi
'as a composer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a bit of a clever dick?' is the wordplay.
'a bit of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'VERDI' is hidden within 'clever dick'.
(Other definitions for verdi that I've seen before include "Drive to meet great composer" , "Italian composer, Giuseppe (1831-1901)" , "Drive around with great opera composer" , "Composer of the operas Macbeth, Falstaff" , "Drive like composer of operas" .)