We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of the conductor Steuart Bedford, the leading authority on the performance of Britten's operas, the first musician to conduct Britten's final opera, Death in Venice, and a beloved colleague in British music.
Steuart conducted Opera Holland Park’s first production of The Turn of the Screw in 2014, bringing invaluable wisdom and insight to the creative process, and offering terrific support to the company’s Young Artists scheme.
Chief Executive and Director of Opera at Opera Holland Park James Clutton says, “It was a real privilege to work with Steuart. Working with someone with that level of attention to detail and such a feel and understanding of the music and the creative process was a joy. I remember him coming into the theatre every night and sitting at the piano in the orchestra pit and playing just because he loved playing and he wanted to make music. He was such a warm person and took great delight in other people enjoying the music. He seemed genuinely thrilled about how excited and proud I was of the work we had done together. A fantastic musician and a lovely man.”