Conductor, born in Weybridge, Surrey, SE England, UK. He studied at Christ's Hospital and the Royal College of Music, and became assistant conductor of the BBC Scottish Orchestra (1957--9), then moved to Sadler's Wells as a conductor and (1961--5) musical director. He was chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra (1967--71) and musical director at Covent Garden (1971--86). At Covent Garden he gained his reputation as a Wagner conductor of international standing with a new production of the The Ring. In 1983 he became chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. He was knighted in 1980.