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Conductor Richard Hickox dies at 60
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent24 Nov 2008
RICHARD HICKOX has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 60, four days before he was due to conduct a new production at English National Opera.
Mr Hickox, one of the world's leading conductors, was found dead in his Cardiff hotel room yesterday after a recording session.
It is understood that he had been taken to hospital for tests after feeling unwell but returned to his hotel when no problem was found. But he later called staff in distress and they found him dead in bed.
He was set to conduct Ralph Vaughan Williams's opera Riders to the Sea, directed by Fiona Shaw, on Thursday. A performance scheduled for this weekend will go ahead dedicated to the conductor.
Mr Hickox was founder and director of the City of London Sinfonia, associate guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and musical director of Opera Australia.
He is survived by his wife, the mezzo-soprano Pamela Helen Stephen, and children Tom, Adam and Abigail. Composer Michael Berkeley said Mr Hickox was renowned for "fantastically powerful performances".
Reader views (2)
Most sad to hear of Richard Hickox's death. His conducting of Delius's "A Mass of Life" is a CD performance which got to the heart of that music; & which fixed Hickox's name in my mind as that of an extremely sensitive musician, who appreciated the crucial role of both tempo & instrumental balance. Condolences to his family, friends & colleagues.
- I N Dyson, Oxford, UK, 24/11/2008 20:05
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How very sad, and what a great loss to music. He was a wonderful conductor.
- Sarahn, London, UK, 24/11/2008 17:44
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