Elgar Howarth, 1935-2025
All at Opera North are sad to learn of the death earlier this week of Elgar Howarth, a hugely influential figure in British classical music and our Chief Guest Conductor from 1985-88.
Elgar, know as Gary, was invited to the Company by founding Music Director David Lloyd-Jones, and together they were formative in steering Opera North through the earlier years.
The first opera he conducted for us was Verdi's Nabucco in 1982 (pictured here), followed by Puccini's La bohème, Strauss’ Arabella, the British premiere of Nielsen’s Maskerade and many more. He was also a friend of composer Harrison Birtwistle and led the Orchestra of Opera North in various Birtwistle projects, including a memorable trip to Vienna to perform Endless Parade with renowned Swedish trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger.
Gary later served here as Music Advisor, making vital artistic decisions, and remained an important part of Opera North's life for the first twenty years.
We are immensely grateful for all he contributed to the Company.