Conductor Richard Hickox dies at 60

RICHARD HICKOX has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 60, four days before he was due to conduct a new production at English National Opera.

Mr Hickox, one of the world's leading conductors, was found dead in his Cardiff hotel room yesterday after a recording session.

It is understood that he had been taken to hospital for tests after feeling unwell but returned to his hotel when no problem was found. But he later called staff in distress and they found him dead in bed.

He was set to conduct Ralph Vaughan Williams's opera Riders to the Sea, directed by Fiona Shaw, on Thursday. A performance scheduled for this weekend will go ahead dedicated to the conductor.

Mr Hickox was founder and director of the City of London Sinfonia, associate guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and musical director of Opera Australia.

He is survived by his wife, the mezzo-soprano Pamela Helen Stephen, and children Tom, Adam and Abigail. Composer Michael Berkeley said Mr Hickox was renowned for "fantastically powerful performances".