Brian Large, 87, Masterful TV And Film Producer Of Opera And Classical Music
Brian James Large, an influential producer in the realms of television and film focused on opera and classical music, passed away at the age of 87 on May 23, 2026. He was born on February 16, 1939, in London and pursued his education at the Royal Academy of Music, later achieving doctorates from the University of London. From 1965 until 1980, he was part of BBC2, where he became the chief opera producer in 1970, directing notable works such as 'Idomeneo' and 'Owen Wingrave.' Beginning in 1979, he directed more than 80 operas for the Metropolitan Opera and received accolades including two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1985.
Key facts
- Brian James Large died on May 23, 2026, at age 87.
- Born Feb. 16, 1939 in London, England.
- Studied at Royal Academy of Music, appointed Fellow in 1991.
- Doctorates in music and philosophy from University of London.
- Published two volumes on Bedřich Smetana and Bohuslav Martinů.
- Worked at BBC2 from 1965 to 1980, chief opera producer from 1970.
- Directed Benjamin Britten's 'Owen Wingrave' for BBC2 in August 1970.
- Directed over 80 productions from Metropolitan Opera New York starting 1979.
- Won two Primetime Emmy Awards (1992, 1993).
- Received Peabody Award and British Television Society award.
- Named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1985.
- Directed for Royal Opera House, Bayreuth Festival, Vienna State Opera, Salzburg Festival, and others.
Entities
Artists
- Brian Large
- Bedřich Smetana
- Bohuslav Martinů
- Benjamin Britten
- Patrice Chéreau
- Zubin Mehta
Institutions
- Royal Academy of Music
- University of London
- BBC2
- Royal Opera House
- Bayreuth Festival
- Vienna State Opera
- Salzburg Festival
- Vienna Volksoper
- Theater an der Wien
- Glyndebourne
- Teatro alla Scala
- Bregenz Festival
- Arena di Verona
- Mariinsky Theatre
- Metropolitan Opera New York
- Los Angeles Opera
- San Francisco Opera
- Houston Grand Opera
- Lyric Opera of Chicago
- Washington National Opera
- Philadelphia Opera
- OperaWire
- Bard College
- New School
- Hofstra University
- Latin Post
- Remezcla
- El Diario
- La Opinion
Locations
- London
- England
- Vienna
- Austria
- Prague
- Czech Republic
- New York
- United States
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Houston
- Chicago
- Washington D.C.
- Philadelphia
- Bayreuth
- Germany
- Salzburg
- Glyndebourne
- United Kingdom
- Milan
- Italy
- Bregenz
- Verona
- St. Petersburg
- Russia