29/04/1879, St.Helens, UK - 08/03/1961, London, UK
English conductor and impresario. He studied composition privately with Frederic Austin in Liverpool, Charles Wood in London, and Moritz Moszkowski in Paris. As a conductor, he was self-taught. First performed in 1905 with the "Queen's hall orchestra", organized in 1906 in London New Symphony Orchestra (since 1908 - National Symphony Orchestra). Since 1910 conductor of the Covent garden theatre in London. Known mainly as an Opera conductor, performed symphonic works by F. Delius, W. A. Mozart, R. Strauss, and I. Stravinsky. As an impresario promoted contemporary music. Participated in the organization of the 120 operas, including 60 new ones. Organized an Opera company and his own orchestra, the first performances of S. P. Diaghilev's ballet company in England, conducted performances of Russian seasons in London (1911) and Berlin, then again in London (1913). He was the founder, owner and the conductor of the British National Opera company and a number of major orchestras (The London Philharmonic. - since 1932, the Royal Philharmonic. - since 1947, etc.), as well as many festivals - F. Delius in London (1929), Leeds (1932), Mozart's in Salzburg (1932), at Glyndebourne (1948, 1949), Edinburgh (1947).
