Cancer claims US opera chief
RIPNew Orleans Opera has announced the death of General and Artistic Director Emeritus Robert Lyall, on January 5, 2024. They add: ‘With courage, grace and a sense of humor, Maestro Lyall had bravely battled cancer since April 2023, as well as resulting complications in recent weeks.’
A student of Kyril Kondrashin in Amsterdam, Lyall served as music director with the Victoria Symphony; the Oak Ridge Symphony; Knoxville Opera; Mississippi Opera; Opera Grand Rapids; and finally New Orleans Opera, which he led for 23 years, from 1998 to 2021.
Abroad, he was Principal Guest Conductor at the Istanbul State Opera.
Oh, this is so terribly sad. He was a lovely man.
I worked with Robert in Knoxville as Escamillo. He lead a fine production of that Carmen. I’m very sorry to learn of his passing.
A very sad day to hear. I really liked that man. he did so much to expand and educate people on opera.
Robert was an excellent conductor and musician. I will cherish our collaborative memories when I appeared as his Cherubino in Knoxville and his Prince Orlofsky in Grand Rapids! My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
I loved working with Maestro Lyall in Grand Rapids and learned so much from him! Opera Grand Rapids was lucky to have him as long as we did! Thinking of his wife, family and the many people whose lives he enriched in NOLA and beyond!