STUART HAMILTON

STUART HAMILTON, C.M., Hon. LL.D., A.R.C.T. September 28, 1929 - January 1, 2017 More than six decades of wondrous achievement in the Canadian cultural arena have come to a close. Stuart Hamilton succumbed to prostate cancer at St. Michael's Hospital on January 1, 2017 at the age of 87. Legendary as a vocal coach, broadcaster, accomplished pianist, raconteur, artistic director and producer, there are few music lovers in Canada who do not know his name. In 1974, he founded Opera in Concert and was its Artistic Director until 1994 when he was influential in selecting his successor, Guillermo Silva- Marin. In 1982, CBC producer Robert Cooper invited Hamilton to become Quiz Master of the CBC's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, a post he held until his retirement in 2007. He also appeared regularly as a panelist and occasional guest Quiz Master, on the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts from New York City at Lincoln Center. His accumulated knowledge of repertoire, voices and style made him an "in demand" lecturer and adjudicator. He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1984, won the Toronto Arts Award in 1989, received the Governor General's Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation in 1992, the first Ruby Award from Opera Canada in 2000 and the Beckmesser Award from the Los Angeles Opera in 2004. He received an honorary doctorate from Dalhousie University in 2008 and most recently was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. His book - Opening Windows: Confessions of a Canadian Vocal Coach (2012) - is an engaging account of his life in music. Stuart was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on September 28, 1929 to Florence Hamilton (née Stuart) and James Shire Hamilton. He was the second youngest of five children and is survived by his sisters Dorothy Marshall and Patricia Hamilton, nieces Vanessa, Barbara, Linda and Janis, nephews Ben, Douglas and David. A Memorial celebrating the life of Stuart Hamilton will be announced by the family at a future date.