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| UK conductor Hickox dies, aged 60 | UK conductor Hickox dies, aged 60 |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Leading British conductor Richard Hickox has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 60. | Leading British conductor Richard Hickox has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 60. |
| Hickox, who was the musical director of Opera Australia as well as a regular conductor of major UK orchestras, died after a recording session in Wales. | Hickox, who was the musical director of Opera Australia as well as a regular conductor of major UK orchestras, died after a recording session in Wales. |
| He conducted on more than 300 recordings and in 2006 received his fifth Gramophone Award. | He conducted on more than 300 recordings and in 2006 received his fifth Gramophone Award. |
| He is survived by his wife, mezzo-soprano Pamela Helen Stephen, and his three children. | He is survived by his wife, mezzo-soprano Pamela Helen Stephen, and his three children. |
| 'Generosity of spirit' | |
| Hickox, who was awarded a CBE in 2002 for his contribution to British musical life, was the founder and musical director of the City of London Sinfonia and associate guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. | |
| He was also Conductor Emeritus of BBC National Orchestra of Wales. | He was also Conductor Emeritus of BBC National Orchestra of Wales. |
| He had been working with the orchestra on a CD recording in the Brangywn Hall, Swansea, when he was suddenly taken ill on Sunday. | |
| His repertoire was wide and varied but his advocacy of British music and the great choral classics was second to none David MurrayDirector of BBC National Orchestra of Wales | |
| The orchestra's director, David Murray, said: "As well as losing an inspiring conductor, we have lost a great friend and supporter of the orchestra and chorus. | |
| "His repertoire was wide and varied but his advocacy of British music and the great choral classics was second to none." | |
| Hickox had been due to conduct the English National Opera's production of Riders to the Sea, by Vaughan Williams, which was to have opened this Thursday. | |
| Hickox's agent, Stephen Lumsden, said: "The shock of Richard Hickox's sudden and unexpected death will resonate right around the globe and has robbed the music world of one of its most popular and respected musicians." | Hickox's agent, Stephen Lumsden, said: "The shock of Richard Hickox's sudden and unexpected death will resonate right around the globe and has robbed the music world of one of its most popular and respected musicians." |
| He added: "Literally thousands of musicians who were touched by his talent, energy and that remarkable generosity of spirit of his will feel that loss as well." | He added: "Literally thousands of musicians who were touched by his talent, energy and that remarkable generosity of spirit of his will feel that loss as well." |
| Hickox had been musical director of Musical Australia since 2005 and his contract had recently been extended until 2012. | |
| He appeared many times at festivals including the BBC Proms, Cheltenham, Bath and Aldeburgh. | |
| In 2006, he received his fifth Gramophone Award - the Editor's Choice award for his recording of sea songs by composer Stanford, with baritone Gerald Finlay, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Chorus of Wales. | |
| He also won a Grammy - for Peter Grimes - Classical Brit Awards, Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards and the first Sir Charles Groves Award. |