Stephen William Barlow (born 30 June 1954) is an English conductor, principally of opera. He was Artistic Director of the Buxton Festival from 2012 to 2018. Barlow was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral before studying at King's School, Canterbury, then moving to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was an Organ Scholar.
In 1986 he married the actress Joanna Lumley, with whom he lives in London.[1]
He composed the opera King, the story of Thomas Becket and Henry II of England, which had its world premiere in Canterbury Cathedral in April 2006. He has worked with the opera company Helios Collective on several projects. He composed a piece for Salon Russe at the National Gallery in 2016 and spoke as part of their Formations Masterclass series in 2017.[2]
He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Music (D.Mus) for outstanding contributions to the arts by the University of Chester on 15 March 2019.[3]
In 2019 he appeared on Laura-Jane Foley's podcast 'My Favourite Work of Art' and chose F. L. Griggs' The Almonry as his chosen work of art.
Barlow's wife Joanna Lumley has said that the couple live independent lives and when they are away from each other for work they do not telephone each other.[4]