Emmy Winner Brian Large Brought Opera to Millions

Brian Large, a celebrated British-born television director, passed away on May 23 in Manhattan at the age of 89. He was widely acclaimed for his masterful direction of over 70 Metropolitan Opera broadcasts during his extensive career, spanning from 1979 to 2010.

Large's unique directorial style was heavily influenced by his musical background as a trained pianist. He meticulously studied and often memorized the musical scores he worked with, stating that his direction was "dictated by the music, by key change, by orchestration, by phrasing."

His work earned him two Emmy Awards for its subtle yet vivid portrayal of opera for millions of viewers worldwide. Metropolitan Opera General Manager Peter Gelb highlighted Large's exceptional ability to manage multiple cameras during live performances, praising the "poetic" phrasing of his shots and their deep sympathy to the on-stage action.