Around the Music Festival

Jonathan Miller, who established an era as an opera director, died on November 27 at the age of 85. He has been active in the theater world since the 1960s, and later brought out numerous famous stages for opera production. The English National Opera’s “Rigoletto” and “Mikado” were very successful, and the Royal Opera House’s “Così fan tutte” was staged for 20 years.

Miller was born in 1934 in London. After studying at the University of Cambridge, St. John’s College, he studied at the University College Hospital in London and became a neurologist. However, he started working as a comedy actor and screenwriter in the theater club since he was a university student, so he eventually stopped being a doctor and moved on to the world of the play. Since the early 1960s, he has worked as a member of “Beyond the Fringe” and gained attention.

In 1970, he directed “Merchant of Venice” starring the famous actor Lawrence Olivier at the National Theater in London. He also received high acclaim for his works by Shakespeare, including supervising the BBC television series. Since then, he has had more opportunities to produce opera, and not only in the UK, but also in major European theaters.

Photo：Medical Journalists’ Association