In The News

First cousin of the Queen passes away

First cousin of the Queen passes away

The Earl of Harewood, who was a first cousin of the Queen, has passed away. He was 88.

The Earl was best known to opera lovers around the world as the editor and co-author for more than 30 years of the Kobbés Complete Opera Book — regarded as the opera-goer’s bible.

His knowledge of opera was greatly expanded when as a prisoner of war in Colditz he studied and assimilated Grove’s Dictionary of music and musicians.

After the war he began work at the Royal Opera House. He was later to become managing director and then chairman of the English National Opera.

The Earl’s involvement with Kobbés came about in 1952 when, after writing a review of the latest edition, he was invited by the publisher to become editor.

Away from music he was chairman of the British Board of Film Classification from 1985 until 1997. 

During this period he encouraged the development of a stricter policy in dealing with the classification films which featured violence. 

He had believed that a link existed between violent films and crime and was critical of some film makers who he accused of being engaged in the cynical marketing of violence to teenagers.

The Earldom will now pass to his eldest son, David, Viscount Lascelles.

 

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