Opera Scotland

Eugene Goossens II Suggest updates

Born Bordeaux, 28 January 1867.

Died London, 31 July 1958.

English conductor.

Eugene Goossens had a long and distinguished conducting career.  He began by succeeding Henry Wood as conductor of first the Burns-Crotty and then the Arthur Rousbey companies.  He succeeded his father at the Carl Rosa company and also conducted with Moody-Manners.  In 1915 he joined Beecham's organisation, and then BNOC, before moving to Covent Garden in 1929.

In 1927 two early complete opera recordings, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, were made by the Columbia company using BNOC forces.  Goossens conducted Pagliacci.  His cast included Miriam Licette (Nedda); Frank Mullings (Canio); Harold Williams (Tonio);  Heddle Nash (Beppe) and Dennis Noble (Silvio).