We have just learned of the death of Helen O’Neill, head of press at Glyndebourne in the era of Peter Hall, Bernad Haitink and any number of divas.

Helen joined in 1957, was assigned to press and publicity 1969, retiring in 1996. She was also managing editor of the thick and scholarly programme books. Helen a kindly soul behind a resolute exterior. I don’t think we ever exchanged a harsh word.

Brian Dickie has written about her funeral yesterday. Vale, Helen.

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no thanks, I've got rehearsal

We are informed by a reader that the CeBeDeM – Belgium Centre of Music – has just closed its doors. ‘This is the place where for years we bought all our music by Belgian composers and where Belgian composers present themselves to the world,’ says our informant.

The website says:

The Belgian Centre for Music Documentation is a non-profit association, founded in 1951. It is placed under the auspices of the Federal Government and sponsored by Sabam and the National Lottery in order to stimulate the promotion and performance of the works of Belgian contemporary composers of serious music.

The object of CeBeDeM is to stimulate the expansion of Belgian contemporary music, in Belgium as well as abroad. For that purpose, CeBeDeM compiles and publishes the works of its members, reproduces unpublished scores for performance or promotion, provides orchestral material, collects and gives all information concerning the affiliated composers.

Sad.

cebedem