Robert Ponsonby Explained

Robert Ponsonby
Birth Date:1926 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Oxford
Nationality:English
Occupation:Arts Administrator

Robert Noel Ponsonby (19 December 19263 November 2019) was an English arts administrator and director of the Edinburgh International Festival from 1956 to 1960.[1]

Ponsonby was born in Oxford, educated at Eton College and served in the Scots Guards.[2] After two years at the Independent Television Authority and eight years as head of the Scottish National Orchestra, he became Controller of Music at the BBC from 1972 for 13 years, succeeding William Glock (and during most of that time also in charge of the BBC Proms).[3] He was artistic director of the Canterbury Festival in 1987–88.

He published two books of musical interviews and reminiscences: Musical Heroes (2009) and In and Out of Tune (2016).[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: The Newsroom. Obituary: Robert Ponsonby CBE, director of Edinburgh International Festival and Scottish National Orchestra chief. 23 November 2019. The Scotsman. 2 September 2021.
  2. Crawford, Iain (1997), Banquo on Thursdays: The Inside Story of 50 years of the Edinburgh Festival, Goblinshead, Edinburgh, p. 43,
  3. News: Millington. Barry. Robert Ponsonby obituary. 20 November 2019. The Guardian. 2 September 2021.
  4. http://www.gilesdelamare.co.uk/musical_heroes.htm Musical Heroes, Giles de la Mare Publishing