Sir John Barbirolli

English conductor and cellist, born 2 December 1899 in Holborn, London, England, UK, died 29 July 1970 in London, England, UK.

Original cellist in the newly formed [a=The London Chamber Orchestra] in 1921. Music Director of The [a=New York Philharmonic Orchestra] (1936-1943).

He then helped save from dissolution [a=Hallé Orchestra] in 1943 becoming its conductor. He retired from Hallé in 1968, though he was given the title of Conductor Laureate for Life. Guest Conductor of many other orchestras.

Among his state awards were a British knighthood in 1949 and Companion of Honour in 1969, the Finnish Grand Star and Collar of Commander 1st Class of the Order of the White Rose in 1963, from Italy the Order of Merit in 1964 and from France, Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, 1966, and Officier de l'Ordre national du Mérite, 1968.

A commemorative blue plaque was placed on the wall of the Bloomsbury Park Hotel in Southampton Row in May 1993 to mark his birthplace.

Barbirolli Square in Manchester is named in his honour and features a sculpture of him.

He was married to [a=Evelyn Rothwell] from 1939 to his death.

Brother of [a=Rosa Barbirolli].