Steuart Bedford, conductor and pianist known for his work with Benjamin Britten – obituary
He conducted the world premiere of Death in Venice and was artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival for 24 years
Steuart Bedford
Credit: Paul Mitchel 2009
Steuart Bedford, who has died aged 81, was a conductor and pianist known for his work with the composer Benjamin Britten; he made his operatic debut with Albert Herring, conducted the world premiere of Death in Venice and was artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival for 24 years.
Bedford was working at Glyndebourne when, at the end of the 1966 festival, he was asked to play for a group of singers who were auditioning for Britten’s English Opera Group (EOG). “Although I was accompanying some excellent people, it was I who was asked to join the company,” he recalled with astonishment.