It was with great sadness that we heard of the recent death of Graham Marchant OBE, one of the founding members of the Opera North family.
A keen supporter of the arts throughout his life, Graham played a defining role in the creation of English National Opera North alongside George, the then Earl of Harewood, and conductor David Lloyd-Jones, during the second half of the 1970s. Working out of makeshift offices provided by Leeds City Council, then from cramped conditions at the top of the Grand Theatre, he was instrumental in forging an effective and friendly organisation capable of delivering a full year’s programme of 12 operas from scratch. Three years later, this became the fully independent Opera North.
Having achieved that ambition, Graham preferred to step aside and pursue fresh challenges, recognising that his supreme talent lay in pioneering work. Subsequent appointments included with the Arts Council and the Southbank Centre in London.
Nicholas Payne, Opera North’s first General Director, said:
“All of Graham’s successors as General Director at Opera North owe him a huge debt for providing secure foundations on which to build a company which has survived and thrived for 46 years. Graham was a lovely person, his razor-sharp intellect leavened by a wry wit and mischievous smile. He never interfered or criticised those who followed him, but he remained a loyal friend who will be much missed by us all.”