LAMAMIMET

Brian James Large was born in London on 16 February 1937 and studied at the Royal Academy of Music before earning doctorates in music and philosophy from the University of London. He pursued postgraduate work in Vienna and Prague, developing a deep expertise in Czech and Slavic opera.

Large joined BBC2 in 1965 as a director of music and opera, becoming chief opera producer in 1970. During his tenure he televised landmark productions such as "Idomeneo," "Peter Grimes," "La traviata," and the world premiere of Benjamin Britten's "Owen Wingrave," as well as collaborations with leading artists like Joan Sutherland, Rudolf Nureyev, and Leonard Bernstein.

After leaving the BBC in 1980, Large continued to direct for the Royal Opera and international companies, creating acclaimed televised versions of works including "Der Ring des Nibelungen" for Bayreuth, which earned him the Royal Television Society's Best Television Director award in 1981. He also produced celebrated broadcasts of "Les Contes d'Hoffmann," "La bohème," and "Aida," among many others.

Large's innovative approach brought opera to a global television audience, cementing his reputation as one of the foremost directors of classical music on screen. He passed away on 23 May 2026 at the age of 89, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of televised performing arts.