London Symphony Orchestra the composer conducted, the rest of the programme was conducted by Coates, who overran his rehearsal time at the expense of Elgar's. Lady Elgar wrote, "that brutal selfish ill-mannered bounder ... that brute Coates went on rehearsing." In "The Observer" Newman wrote, "There have been rumours about during the week of inadequate rehearsal. Whatever the explanation, the sad fact remains that never, in all probability, has so great an orchestra made so lamentable an exhibition of itself." Coates remained as chief conductor for two seasons, and after the initial debacle is credited by Morrison with "breathing life and energy into
Matthew Hickey Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, the Queensland Pops Orchestra and various chamber ensembles. In 1998, while an undergraduate, together with fellow students, Hickey developed The Ten Tenors, of which he was a member, director and executive producer until 2010. During that time, The Ten Tenors: were awarded numerous gold and platinum albums in Australia and abroad; recorded at Abbey Road Studios and at Sir George Martin's Air Studios, London; collaborated with Oscar-winning composer John Barry and Grammy-award winning producer Simon Franglen; and performed at high-profile venues worldwide, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Kodak Theatre in Los