Irving, Robert (Augustine)
Irving, Robert (Augustine)
Irving, Robert (Augustine), English conductor; b. Winchester, Aug. 28, 1913; d. there, Sept. 13, 1991. He studied at Winchester Coll. (1926-32), at New Coll., Oxford (B.A., 1935), and with Sargent and Lambert at the Royal Coll. of Music in London (1934-36). He was assoc. conductor of the BBC Scottish Orch. in Glasgow (1945-48); after serving as principal conductor of the Sadler’s Wells (later Royal) Ballet in London (1948-58), he was music director of the N.Y.C. Ballet (1958-89); he also conducted for the Martha Graham Dance Co. in N.Y. (1960-65; 1974-77). Although he appeared as a guest conductor with various orchs. in England the U.S., it was as an exemplary conductor of ballet that he secured his reputation. He also wrote music for the theater and for films.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire