An English conductor dies
mainThe former D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, Royston Nash, has died, aged 82.
A Southampton lad, his activity beyond the world of Gilbert and Sullivan involved the BBC Concert Orchestra and other London ensembles.
In 1980 he migrated to Cape Cod to conduct an orchestra of part-timers which he turned fully professional. He led the orch for 27 years to his retirement, counting a Dream of Gerontius among his greatest successes.
Our condolences to the Nash family.
He was a gentleman. I loved working with Royston, who was truly a musician’s musician. He took the leap of faith as one of the first conductors to do the Leroy Anderson Piano Concerto with me. I remember he loved the music and was surprised it had not been as popular as it should be. His prediction for its success rang true. He will be missed by the many musicians and audiences who were indeed blessed to be touched by his warm spirit and brilliant mind.
I believe he died in Massachusetts, not in Canada.
To quote from G & S ‘for he is an Englishman’. Our thoughts are with his family.
I played under Royston for 4 years of my 14 years with the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra. He died in his Cape Cod town of Cotuit Massachusetts. Richard Orpin.