Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1939 in London, England

 

Steuart Bedford is a renowned British conductor and pianist, known for his contributions to the world of classical music. Born on July 31, 1939, in London, England, Bedford grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Herbert Bedford, was a composer and conductor, while his mother, Dora Labbette, was a soprano singer. Bedford's parents were both associated with the Royal Opera House in London, and their influence played a significant role in shaping his musical career. Bedford began his musical training at an early age, studying piano with his mother and later with Maria Donska. He also received training in composition and conducting from his father. In 1957, Bedford enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied piano with Harold Craxton and conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. He graduated from the academy in 1961 with a degree in piano performance. After completing his studies, Bedford began his career as a pianist, performing in concerts and recitals across Europe. He also worked as a répétiteur at the Royal Opera House, where he accompanied singers during rehearsals and performances. In 1965, Bedford made his conducting debut with the Royal Ballet, leading a performance of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring." This marked the beginning of his career as a conductor, which would eventually become his primary focus. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Bedford established himself as a leading conductor in the UK and abroad. He conducted numerous orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He also worked extensively with opera companies, including the English National Opera, the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and the Royal Opera House. Bedford's repertoire was wide-ranging, encompassing works by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, and Britten. One of Bedford's most significant achievements as a conductor was his work on Benjamin Britten's operas. Bedford had a close relationship with Britten, having worked with him as a répétiteur and assistant conductor. In 1976, Bedford conducted the premiere of Britten's final opera, "Death in Venice," at the Aldeburgh Festival. He went on to conduct many other productions of Britten's operas, including "Peter Grimes," "Billy Budd," and "The Turn of the Screw." Bedford's interpretations of Britten's music were highly regarded, and he was widely considered to be one of the leading interpreters of Britten's work. In addition to his work as a conductor, Bedford was also a respected pianist and accompanist. He frequently performed in recitals with singers and instrumentalists, and he recorded several albums of piano music. Bedford was particularly known for his interpretations of the music of French composer Francis Poulenc, and he recorded a complete cycle of Poulenc's piano music for the Hyperion label. Throughout his career, Bedford received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1994, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. He was also awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Conductor Award in 2001 and the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera in 2010. In 2013, Bedford was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music, which is awarded annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to British music.

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