David Atherton

David Atherton is a distinguished British conductor known for his extensive work in both the opera and symphonic realms. Born on January 3, 1944, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, he co-founded the London Sinfonietta in 1968, an ensemble dedicated to contemporary music, which he led until 1973. Atherton has held prominent positions with various orchestras and opera companies throughout his career. He served as the Music Director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, he has been a guest conductor for many of the world's leading orchestras and opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Atherton's discography includes a wide range of repertoire from classical to contemporary works. His contributions to music have been recognized with honors such as being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music.