Sir Edward Downes

Sir Edward Thomas Downes, also known as Ted Downes, was an English conductor who specialized in opera. He began learning piano and violin at age five and was a choirboy at King Edward’s School, where he later became choir master after his voice broke at 13. He left school at 14 to work at the City of Birmingham Gas Department while continuing his studies independently, later winning a scholarship to the University of Birmingham to study English literature and music. He then received a scholarship to the Royal College of Music, where he studied composition and horn. Downes began his professional conducting career after working as a répétiteur with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and, from 1952, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. In 1970, he became Music Director of Opera Australia and conducted the first operatic performance at the Sydney Opera House in 1973. He also served as Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Orchestra until 1983 and maintained a long association with the BBC Philharmonic. He also planned an extensive Verdi festival for the Royal Opera House spanning multiple seasons.