Tributes to a Festival favourite

Published on Wednesday 1 September 2010 18:06

The Edinburgh International Festival paid tribute last night to the late Sir Charles Mackerras, the conductor who delivered 87 performances with the Festival since 1952, more than any other artist.

Director Jonathan Mills lead tributes from the stage of Usher Hall with a concert by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, from the city where Sir Charles, who died in June, began as an oboeist. The orchestra was conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy.

The Welsh soprano Rebecca Evans, Sir Charles's long-time friend and collaborator, flew to Edinburgh yesterday to perform the area Deh Vieni Non Tardar, from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro.

"He was always totally loyal and committed, and he was just determined that this Festival would always continue at a very high standard, with repertoire that everyone loved and was accessible to everyone," she said. "We suggested several arias that Charles and I had worked on over the years.This one is the crowning aria in all the Mozart operas. It is simple, so beautiful, and he loved it."

Mr Mills said: "Sir Charles commanded respect, friendship and great loyalty from the musicians he conducted."