Colin Graham: A Tribute to the Opera Director

Colin Graham OBE was a celebrated stage director of opera, theatre, and television, known for his long association with Benjamin Britten and his work directing world premieres. He began his career in the 1950s at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and later became Artistic Director of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, a position he held until his death.

Graham directed 55 world premieres, including John Corigliano's *The Ghosts of Versailles* at the Metropolitan Opera and André Previn's *A Streetcar Named Desire* for San Francisco Opera. He also wrote libretti for several operas, such as *The Postman Always Rings Twice* and *Madame Mao*. His work with the English Opera Group and Glyndebourne Festival Chorus brought Gilbert and Sullivan recordings to life with staged movement.

Beyond his directing, Graham studied theology and became a minister in 1987, later taking US citizenship. He received the Order of the British Empire in 2002. This event honors his legacy as a towering figure in opera, whose influence spanned continents and genres.