Around the Music Festival

British conductor Steuart Bedford died on the 15th. He was 81 years old. He was trusted by the composer Benjamin Britten and in 1973 conducted the premiere of the opera “Death in Venice” on behalf of the composer in bed. Since 1974, he has long been the artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival in England, which Britten was involved in.

Born in London, his family was mostly musicians. The composer David Bedford, who died in 2011, is his brother. He majored in organ and piano at Oxford University. He made his debut in 1964 by conducting the Britain opera “Albert Herring”, which was performed at the university.

The following year, in 1965, he began working as an assistant conductor at the Glyndebourne Festival. The artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival has been co-director with composer Oliver Knussen since 1989, but until 1998 he was artistic director. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016.

Photo：Harrison Parrott　/　Paul Mitchell