Edward Downes
Edward Downes | |
|---|---|
Edward Downes in the recording studio, 1971. | |
| Born | Edward Thomas Downes 17 June 1924 Birmingham, England |
| Died | 10 July 2009 (aged 85) Zürich, Switzerland |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham Royal College of Music |
| Known for | Conducting |
| Spouse |
Joan Weston (m. 1955) |
Sir Edward Thomas "Ted" Downes, CBE (17 June 1924 – 10 July 2009) was an English conductor, specialising in opera.
He was associated with the Royal Opera House from 1952, and with Opera Australia from 1970. He was also well known for his long working relationship with the BBC Philharmonic and for working with the Netherlands Radio Orchestra. Within the field of opera, he was particularly known as a conductor of Verdi.
He and his wife, Lady Joan Downes, committed assisted suicide at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland on 10 July 2009, an event that received significant media coverage.