As celebrated director John Cox turns 90, Askonas Holt looks back at his extraordinary life and career, with the help of Dame Felicity Lott.

John began his career in 1959 as an assistant director at Glyndebourne, where he eventually became Director of Productions in 1971, a position he held for a decade. Among the many operas he directed was a celebrated The Rake’s Progress designed by David Hockney half a century ago - which recently saw a revival at Glyndebourne overseen by John himself. There were many more successful collaborations with Hockney over the years. The pair have remained firm friends, and Hockney has recently completed a portrait of John, cementing their many years working together. 

John's time at Glyndebourne also produced six romantic comedies by Richard Strauss, with whose work he claims a strong affinity. His 1973 interpretation of Capriccio has been produced around the word, and in 1976, a young Felicity Lott was cast in as Countess Madeline in the Glyndebourne touring production. Her first Strauss role, no less.

She remembers: “What amazing luck as a young, inexperienced singer to have coincided with John Cox’s time at Glyndebourne. All John’s productions are a brilliant marriage of art and music - The Rake’s Progress being a wonderful example - and I am so grateful to have learned all the Strauss rôles that I used to sing guided by John’s impeccable taste, intelligence and humour.He was always patient with us in rehearsal and never undermined our confidence - on the contrary: we were encouraged to grow into our rôles and his criticisms were always to improve the performance rather than make us feel inadequate.

He is so clever, so articulate and so well-read, he could easily have demolished us instead of being the supportive and generous person he is.”

From Glyndebourne John took the helm of Scottish Opera from 1981 to 1985, directing the UK premiere of the posthumously completed Lulu by Alban Berg, before becoming the principal stage director at the Royal Opera House from 1988 to 1994.

Outside of the UK, John has worked everywhere from the Met to La Scala, in repertoire from favourites like La traviata to rarities like Pizzetti’s Murder in the Cathedral.

His long and fruitful relationship with Garsington Opera continues this summer with a revival of his Fidelio, which he will oversee.

Dame Felicity goes on to say: “I owe him more than I can say and love him very much. Thank you, John, and happy birthday.”