Person Open DS/UK/346 Beecham; Sir; Thomas (29 April 1879-8 March 1961); 2nd Barronet of Ewanville, CH; English conductor and impresario Beecham Thomas Sir 29 April 1879-8 March 1961 English conductor and impresario Male (cisgender) DS/UK/6036 DS/UK/4407 DS/UK/1217 DS/UK/530 DS/UK/1129 https://thirdlight.royalalberthall.com/pf.tlx?zIyz5GQz10HSS St Helens, Lancashire, England (born)

English Music | Conductor White No known disability No known religious affiliation Grandson of Thomas Beecham (chemist and founder of Beechams pharmaceutical business) Son of Joseph Beecham and Josephine Burnett Uncle of Audrey Beecham (poet) Former spouse of Utica Celestina Welles and Betty Humby (pianist) Former partner of Maud Alice (Lady Cunard) and Dora Labette (soprano) Spouse of Shirley Hudson (secretary and RPO admin) Heterosexual Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet, CH was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras. Beecham was a major influence on the musical life of Britain and, according to the BBC, was Britain's first international conductor. Together with his younger colleague Malcolm Sargent, Beecham founded the London Philharmonic, and he conducted its first performance at the Queen's Hall in 1932. In the 1940s he worked for three years in the United States where he was music director of the Seattle Symphony and conducted at the Metropolitan Opera. After his return to Britain, he founded the Royal Philharmonic in 1946 and conducted it until his death in 1961. Beecham's repertoire was eclectic, sometimes favouring lesser-known composers over famous ones. His specialities included composers whose works were neglected in Britain before he became their advocate, such as Delius and Berlioz. Awards, Honours and Legacy: Beecham was knighted in 1916 and succeeded to the baronetcy on the death of his father later that year. In 1938 the President of France, Albert Lebrun, invested him with the Légion d'honneur. In 1955, Beecham was presented with the Order of the White Rose of Finland. He was a Commendatore of the Order of the Crown of Italy and was made a Companion of Honour in the 1957 Queen's Birthday Honours. Family, Sexuality and Relationships: Beecham's relations with fellow British conductors were not always cordial. Sir Henry Wood regarded him as an upstart and was envious of his success; the scrupulous Sir Adrian Boult found him "repulsive" as a man and a musician; and Sir John Barbirolli mistrusted him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Beecham (2019) International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Yes RAHhbryony 7/20/2012 RAHAKirkbride 3/14/2023 f889a315-b9cc-4f32-b09f-4963657fb7c6