Biography
John Lanchbery was an English conductor and composer, best known for his ballet arrangements and adaptations of existing music. Born in London on 15 May 1923, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music and served in the Royal Armoured Corps during the Second World War. He became musical director of the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet in 1951 and principal conductor of the Royal Ballet from 1959 to 1972.
Lanchbery later held positions as principal conductor of the Australian Ballet (1972–1977) and musical director of American Ballet Theatre (1978–1980). He arranged scores for notable ballets including La Fille mal gardée (1960), The Merry Widow (1975) and Mayerling (1978). His film work included composing for The Tales of Beatrix Potter (1971) and adapting and conducting music for The Turning Point (1977); he also arranged the score for Evil Under the Sun (1982). He received the OBE in 1990 and became an Australian citizen in 2002. Lanchbery died in Melbourne on 27 February 2003.
