Sir George Christie: 1934-2014

Tributes have been paid to former Glyndebourne chairman Sir George Christie, who died on 7 May.

The son of the opera house’s founder John Christie, Sir George took the reins in 1958 and presided over the opera festival for 40 years.

During that time he not only brought Glyndebourne’s finances back from the brink, but launched its touring and education programmes before overseeing a £34million rebuild of the theatre in 1994.

Described by his son Gus as “a visionary leader and a great champion of the arts”, it was perhaps inevitable that Christie would end up managing the Glyndebourne opera house and festival.

He was born just months after his mother, soprano Audrey Mildmay, finished her run as Susanna in the inaugural production of Le nozze di Figaro in 1934.

Dedicating the 2014 season to Sir George, Gus Christie said: “He has been Glyndebourne's guiding spirit throughout its history.”