Peter Moores Foundation

Sir Peter Moores CBE, DL

Peter Moores was born in Lancashire and educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied Italian and German. Whilst a student he worked at Glyndebourne as a behind-the-scenes administrator, before going to study at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he produced the Austrian premiere of Benjamin Britten's The Rape of Lucretia. He was a production assistant with the Vienna State Opera for three years and worked as assistant producer of performances by Viennese artists at the San Carlo Opera House, Naples, at the Geneva Festival and at the Rome Opera.

In 1957 he joined his father's business, Littewoods, becoming Vice Chairman in 1976, Chairman from 1977 to 1980 and remaining a director until 1993. His public appointments include: from 1981 to 1983, Governor of the BBC, Trustee of the Tate Gallery from 1978 until 1985 and from 1988 to 1993 a Director of Scottish Opera. He is also a member of the British Museum Society.

Rodney Milnes

'Here are some other things we wouldn't have were it not for Peter. The Goodall Ring, one of the defining moments in our operatic history. Over thirty other recordings of opera in English on the Chandos label, including three of Dame Janet Baker's greatest performances. Recital recordings by international artists who happily sing in English: Bruce Ford, Della Jones, Yvonne Kenny, Diana Montague, John Tomlinson.

The Opera in English series is driven, I think, by Peter's ferocious anti-snobbery on the subject, which many of my generation proudly share. Yet there's the carriage trade as well - whoops, I nearly said elitist - 30-plus Opera Rara recordings, some featuring composers half of us have never heard of.

Without Peter, there would be no Almeida Opera Festival, we wouldn't have heard Rossini's Otello at Covent Garden or Ermione at Glyndebourne.'

from a speech at Mansion House, September, 2002

1932
Born April 9, Lancashire

Educated Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford (studied Italian and German)

1952-1957
Whilst a student, worked at Glyndebourne, as behind-the-scenes administrator

Studied at Vienna Academy of Music – produced Austrian première of Benjamin Britten's The Rape of Lucretia; simultaneously worked for 3 years as production assistant, Vienna State Opera, including performances with Viennese artists at San Carlo Opera House, Naples, Geneva Festival and at Rome Opera.

1957
Joined his father's business, Littlewoods; 1976 Vice-Chairman; 1977-1980 Chairman; remained a Director up to 1993.

1964
Established the Peter Moores Foundation to realise his charitable aims through music, visual arts, education, environment and social projects.

1993
Founded Compton Verney House Trust to transform Compton Verney House, an 18th century mansion in Warwickshire, into a public art gallery (Gallery opened March 2004).

He established the Peter Moores Foundation in 1964, to realize his charitable aims in the arts and for environmental and social causes. In 1993 he founded the Compton Verney House Trust to develop Compton Verney House, a derelict 18th century mansion, into an art gallery where visitors (especially first-timers) could encounter art in an informal environment.

He received the Gold Medal of the Italian Republic in 1974, an Honorary MA from Christ Church, Oxford in 1975, and was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Northern College of Music in 1985. In 1992 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of Lancashire by HM the Queen. He was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1991 and received a Knighthood in the New Year's Honours List for 2003 in recognition of his charitable services to the arts.

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by Glenys Barton

3 December 2008