Sir Peter Jonas CBE: 1946 – 2020

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of RNCM Fellow and NSM alumnus Sir Peter Jonas CBE on 22 April at the age of 73.

Born in London in 1946, Peter studied history and opera at the Northern School of Music (NSM) before joining the Royal College of Music and Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

In 1985 he was appointed General Director of English National Opera, a position he held until 1993. That same year, as intendant of the Bavarian State Opera, he made history as the first British national to run a major German opera house, where he stayed for 13 years.

In 2000, we were proud to make Sir Peter a Fellow of the RNCM.

To read The Guardian’s full obituary, click here.

29 April 2020