Sir Thomas Beecham
Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961), British conductor. The grandson of the founder of a pharmaceutical firm, he established his New Symphony Orchestra in London in 1906. He helped to popularize the music of Frederrick Delius and introduced audiences in London to Russian ballet and opera. After World War II he founded the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1947), and made a number of world tours. Beecham was noted for his eccentric opinions and sayings. He is reputed to have opposed the introduction of female musicians into his orchestras, reasoning that the attractive ones would distract the male players and the ugly ones would distract him.
