Person    | Male  Born 26/5/1893  Died 13/6/1962

Sir Eugene Goossens

Categories: Music / songs

Countries: Australia, Belgium, USA

Composer and conductor. Born Eugene Aynsley Goossens in Rochester Square, Camden Town. Son of Eugene Goossens. Studied in London and Bruges and became associate conductor to Sir Thomas Beecham. He was conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, USA, 1931-46. From there he moved to Australia, where he became a major influence on that country's music, as conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and other groups, and as the director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music. He was the founding father of what became the Sydney Opera House and was knighted in 1955.

His fall from grace was spectacular. In the early 1950s he had begun a passionate affaire with Rosaleen Norton, a New Zealand/Australian artist who dabbled in the occult and erotica. In 1956, returning to Australia from a trip to Europe to conduct some concerts and collect his knighthood, his bags were searched at Sydney airport and a large quantity of pornographic material was found. The police knew about his affair with Norton and had targeted him deliberately. His reputation was ruined and he returned to England, never to return to Australia.

He died in Hillingdon Hospital, Middlesex.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir Eugene Goossens

Commemorated ati

Goossens family

No doubt, the Goossens flock was large, but we have only recognised those of ...

Read More

Other Subjects

Charles Dibdin

Charles Dibdin

Dramatist, composer, writer and theatre proprietor. Employed Grimaldi at Sadler's Wells. Charles Isaac Mungo Dibdin was known professionally as Charles Pitt or Charles Dibdin the younger. Born in R...

Person, Music / songs, Theatre

1 memorial
Donald "Tabby" Shaw

Donald "Tabby" Shaw

The Mighty Diamonds were a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group was formed in 1969 and were best known for their 1976 debut album, Right Time...

Person, Music / songs, Tragedy, Jamaica

1 memorial
Sir Edward Elgar

Sir Edward Elgar

Born in Broadheath, near Worcester.  First moved to London on his marriage in 1889.  A keen early adopting cyclist he often got inspiration from a country ride. On writing "Land of Hope and Glory" ...

Person, Music / songs, Seriously Famous

5 memorials
George Michael

George Michael

Born as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, he was immensely successful with Andrew Ridgeleyin the 1980s pop music duo Wham! (Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go) and then in a solo career. Died at his home in ...

Person, Music / songs, Seriously Famous

1 memorial
Mickie Most

Mickie Most

Singer and record producer. Born Aldershot as Michael Hayes. Worked as a singing waiter at the 2i's coffee bar. As a producer he discovered the Animals and also worked with Herman's Hermits and ...

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial