Edward Downes Edward Downes Sir Edward Thomas ("Ted") Downes, CBE (17 June 1924 – 10 July 2009) was an English conductor, specialising in opera. He was associated with the Royal Opera House from 1952, and with Opera Australia from 1970. He was also well known for his long working relationship with the BBC Philharmonic and for working with the Netherlands Radio Orchestra. Within the field of opera, he was particularly known as a conductor of Verdi. He and his wife, Lady (Joan) Downes, committed assisted suicide at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland on 10 July 2009, an event that received significant media
Joan of the Tower Joan of the Tower Joan of England (5 July 1321 – 7 September 1362), known as Joan of the Tower because she was born in the Tower of London, was the first wife and Queen consort of David II of Scotland. The youngest daughter of Edward II of England and Isabella of France, Joan was born in the Tower of London on 5 July 1321. Her siblings were the future Edward III of England, John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall and Eleanor of Woodstock. In accordance with the Treaty of Northampton, Joan was married on 17 July 1328 to David