Michael Downes is a conductor, writer and lecturer with a particular interest in opera. His publications include books written both with and about British composer Jonathan Harvey, and a collaboration with Nike Wagner, great-granddaughter of Richard, on the English version of her book, The Wagners: The Dramas of a Musical Dynasty. In 2008, following two years as Director of Music at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, he was appointed to the same post at the University of St Andrews, where he led the project to develop the multi-award-winning Laidlaw Music Centre. Michael was awarded an OBE in the King's 2025 Birthday Honours List for services to music and education.
