Lanchbery, John (Arthur)
Lanchbery, John (Arthur)
Lanchbery, John (Arthur), English conductor, composer, and arranger; b. London, May 15, 1923. He held a composition scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London (1942-43; 1945-48). He quickly developed a reputation as a ballet conductor in London, where he conducted the Metropolitan Ballet (1948–50), the Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet (1951–59), and the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden (1960–72). After conducting the Australian Ballet in Melbourne (1972–77), he conducted the American Ballet in N.Y. (1978–80). He also was a guest conductor throughout Europe and the Americas. In addition to his film, radio, and television scores, he also prepared new performing eds. of a number of ballets. In 1990 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire