Conductor Kenneth Montgomery dies at 79

Conductor Kenneth Montgomery died Sunday at the age of 79, his partner announced. He has been principal conductor for many years with top featured orchestras and acclaimed choirs.

Montgomery died at his home in Amsterdam.

Most recently, he conducted Joseph Haydn’s Lonely Woman with an 18th-century orchestra and students of the Dutch National Academy of Opera (DNOA), with whom he frequently collaborates. Shortly thereafter, he decided to end his career due to his health.

He started his career at Radio Kamerorkest in the Netherlands, then worked for the former De Nederlandse Operastichting and others. He was the conductor of several operas staged on the Dutch broadcasting system.

Kenneth Montgomery is also Principal Conductor of the Northern Ireland Opera, Santa Fe Opera and the Ulster Orchestra, and has performed at La Scala in Milan and other opera houses in Europe and North America.