Mourning for a Britten musician
mainThe conductor Steuart Bedford died yesterday at the age of 81.
A positive and discreet member of the Aldeburgh circle, he conducted the world premiere of Death in Venice, as well as the first recording, and was much in demand worldwide for the rest of Britten’s operas.
He was an artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival from 1974 to 1998.
Steuart’s wife Celia predeceased him in April 2020.
His brother, the composer David Bedford, died in 2011. A third brother, Peter Lehman Bedford, was a singer.
photo: ECO archive
Such sad news about the death of Steuart Bedford. Privileged to have known him and, like so many, to have learned so much from him. He played such a unique role in the history of @BrittenPears and his part in bringing to life the music of @BrittenOfficial will never be forgotten
— Roger Wright (@rogerandout56) February 16, 2021
Genuinely sad to hear of the death of Steuart Bedford, who from the moment I met him at the @RoyalAcadMusic was unfailingly kind and supportive to me. He also directed some of the most memorable musical moments of my life, often at Aldeburgh. https://t.co/P8eIeWlRRK pic.twitter.com/EJix9BqCYJ
— Nicholas Daniel OBE (@ndanielmusic) February 16, 2021
So sad. In addition to all his Britten and conducting achievements, he was a hugely talented concert pianist and performed many of the big concertos, such as Rachmaninov 2&3. At Oxford I sang in the first opera he ever conducted (Albert Herring, Oxford Playhouse, February 1964). He taught me more than I can say and was a wonderfully kind person.
An essential figure for all of us who love British music in general and Britten’s in particular
RIP, Steuart Bedford. So many benefitted from your expertise yet you remained so dignified and discreet. Thank you for all you did.
He was a marvelous conductor for whom I played at the Academy. We met again at Garsington for Death in Venice a couple of years ago. A conductor and a real musician if integrity
A great conductor and a real musician of integrity.