Leppard, Raymnond John

Leppard, Raymnond John,

1927–, English conductor, composer, musicologist, and harpsicordist, grad. Cambridge. A prominent scholar as well as a conductor, he is especially known for "realizing" 17th-century Venetian operas by such composers as MonteverdiMonteverdi, Claudio
, 1567–1643, Italian composer; first great figure in the history of opera. His earliest published works, a set of three motifs, appeared when he was only 15.
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 and CavalliCavalli, Pietro Francesco
, 1602–76, Italian composer, whose real name was Caletti-Bruni; pupil of Monteverdi, whom he succeeded as choirmaster of St. Mark's, Venice.
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. Leppard was the conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra (1959–77) and the BBC Philharmonic (1973–80). Since 1987 he been the music director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and he is largely responsible for expanding its repertoire, season, and sound, which has become leaner and more elegant under his direction. Leppard has been guest conductor at many major orchestras in the United States and Europe and has long been associated with the Glyndebourne FestivalGlyndebourne Festival
, opera festival given each summer since 1934 on the estate of John Christie at Glyndebourne, near Lewes, Sussex, England. The festival is known for its elegant setting and the formal dress of its listeners, who picnic on surrounding lawns.
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 and Covent GardenCovent Garden
, area in London historically containing the city's principal fruit and garden market and the Royal Opera House. The market was established in 1671 by Charles II on the site of the abbot of Westminster's convent garden, from which the area's name is derived.
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