Neel, Boyd (1905-1981), founded and conducted the Boyd Neel Orchestra, one of Europe’s leading string orchestras. He founded the orchestra in 1932, and it gave its first concert in 1933. Neel’s orchestra performed a broad repertoire but was particularly noted for its interpretations of the Baroque music of such German composers as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Neel also conducted several major British orchestras, including the Sadler’s Wells Opera (1945-1946) and the D’Oyly Carte Opera (1948-1949).
Louis Boyd Neel was born on July 19, 1905, in London. He was a naval officer and a doctor before turning to music. From 1953 to 1970, he was dean of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. He died in Toronto on Sept. 30, 1981.
