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| UK conductor ends life at clinic | UK conductor ends life at clinic |
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| Renowned British conductor Sir Edward Thomas Downes, CBE, has died at the age of 85, after travelling to the assisted suicide clinic Dignitas with his wife. | Renowned British conductor Sir Edward Thomas Downes, CBE, has died at the age of 85, after travelling to the assisted suicide clinic Dignitas with his wife. |
| He and his 74-year-old wife Joan, who was terminally ill, chose to end their lives at the Swiss clinic, their family said in a statement. | He and his 74-year-old wife Joan, who was terminally ill, chose to end their lives at the Swiss clinic, their family said in a statement. |
| According to the statement, the couple "died peacefully, and under circumstances of their own choosing". | According to the statement, the couple "died peacefully, and under circumstances of their own choosing". |
| Sir Edward had a 40-year relationship with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. | Sir Edward had a 40-year relationship with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. |
| "Our father, who was 85 years old, almost blind and increasingly deaf, had a long, vigorous and distinguished career as a conductor," his family said. | "Our father, who was 85 years old, almost blind and increasingly deaf, had a long, vigorous and distinguished career as a conductor," his family said. |
| Sir Edward and Lady Downes had been together for 54 years | Sir Edward and Lady Downes had been together for 54 years |
| "Our mother, who was 74, started her career as a ballet dancer and subsequently worked as a choreographer and TV producer, before dedicating the last years of her life to working as our father's personal assistant. | "Our mother, who was 74, started her career as a ballet dancer and subsequently worked as a choreographer and TV producer, before dedicating the last years of her life to working as our father's personal assistant. |
| "They both lived life to the full and considered themselves to be extremely lucky to have lived such rewarding lives, both professionally and personally. | "They both lived life to the full and considered themselves to be extremely lucky to have lived such rewarding lives, both professionally and personally. |
| "After 54 happy years together, they decided to end their own lives rather than continue to struggle with serious health problems." | "After 54 happy years together, they decided to end their own lives rather than continue to struggle with serious health problems." |
| A Metropolitan Police spokesman said their deaths were being investigated by Greenwich CID. | |
| "It was reported to police on Monday, July 13, that a man and woman from SE3 had died in Switzerland," he said. | |
| "We continue to investigate the circumstances of their deaths. No further details at this stage." | |
| Born in Birmingham on 17 June 1924, the world-famous conductor began playing the violin at the age of five. | Born in Birmingham on 17 June 1924, the world-famous conductor began playing the violin at the age of five. |
| His pursuit of conducting was aided by a two-year scholarship in Aberdeen, which led him to study with eminent German conductor Hermann Scherchen. | His pursuit of conducting was aided by a two-year scholarship in Aberdeen, which led him to study with eminent German conductor Hermann Scherchen. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| In 1952 he joined the Royal Opera where he remained a company member for 17 years. | In 1952 he joined the Royal Opera where he remained a company member for 17 years. |
| He became Associate Music Director in 1991 and conducted a huge repertoire at Covent Garden for over 50 consecutive seasons. | He became Associate Music Director in 1991 and conducted a huge repertoire at Covent Garden for over 50 consecutive seasons. |
| He began his relationship with the BBC Philharmonic as Chief Guest Conductor, going to become Principal Conductor from 1980 to 1991 and later Conductor Emeritus. | He began his relationship with the BBC Philharmonic as Chief Guest Conductor, going to become Principal Conductor from 1980 to 1991 and later Conductor Emeritus. |
| In 1970 he became Music Director of the Australian Opera and conducted the first performance in the Sydney Opera House. | In 1970 he became Music Director of the Australian Opera and conducted the first performance in the Sydney Opera House. |
| He was Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Orchestra until 1983 and travelled widely as a guest conductor to opera houses and orchestras all over the world. | He was Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Orchestra until 1983 and travelled widely as a guest conductor to opera houses and orchestras all over the world. |
| Sir Edward was honoured by four music colleges and five universities as well as receiving the Laurence Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics Circle and Royal Philharmonic Society awards. | Sir Edward was honoured by four music colleges and five universities as well as receiving the Laurence Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics Circle and Royal Philharmonic Society awards. |
| He became a CBE in 1986 and was knighted in 1991. | He became a CBE in 1986 and was knighted in 1991. |