SANDRA MARTIN
TORONTO — Globe and Mail Update and Canadian Press Published on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007 4:49PM EDT Last updated on Friday, Apr. 03, 2009 10:27AM EDT
Richard Bradshaw, the British conductor who waged what he often called "the thirty years war" to build an opera house in Toronto, died Wednesday evening of an apparent heart attack at Pearson airport after returning from a holiday with his wife in the Maritimes. He was 63.
Born in Rugby, England in 1944, Mr. Bradshaw graduated from the University of London in 1965. After a career in England as a choral and opera conductor, he became resident conductor at the San Francisco Opera from 1977 to 1989 before he was hired by the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto as general director.
“Mr. Bradshaw was not only the visionary leader of Canada's largest opera company but also a conductor of international repute,” the COC said in a statement. “(He) was one of this country's most outspoken and fearless advocates for culture and the arts, and fought tirelessly for the recognition of the art form he loved so dearly.”
During his tenure he developed the company's reputation and repertoire so that it consistently drew sell-out crowds. His greatest achievement was the building of the opera house, designed by architect Jack Diamond, which opened its doors to rousing applause in June 2006.
"I had moments of great anxiety," Mr. Bradshaw told the Globe in late 2006 about the challenges he faced building the new opera house.
"I'd wake up in the night with a certain terror. But I don't think I ever believed it wasn't going to happen. I don't think I ever absolutely despaired because I don't think the most important thing in life to me is the opera house. The most important thing in my professional life is whatever the company is doing. That's where I'm lucky to be a conductor."
In his years with the COC, he conducted more than 60 operas.
According to a profile of Bradshaw on the company's website, he introduced cutting-edge productions such as “Bluebeard's Castle/Erwartung,” “Salome,” “Mario and the Magician,” “Jenufa” and “Oedipus Rex with Symphony of Psalms,” forging a strong artistic identity for the company.
He is survived by his wife Diana and his two children Jenny and James. The funeral is Tuesday Aug. 21 at 11 am St. James Cathedral in Toronto.
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