Goodall, Reginald (1901-1990)

English conductor, known for his slow, expansive interpretations of Wagner. He conducted without a baton, and never took curtain calls.

Goodall studied at the Royal College of Music, London, and in Germany. His broad tempi and intensity of expression were regarded as belonging to the best traditions of German conductors. He conducted the first performance of Peter Grimes at Sadlers Wells, London, in 1945. In 1946 he joined the staff at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, but his gifts were not properly recognized until major success came with Wagner's Die Meistersinger at Sadlers Wells in 1968. He conducted Parsifal at Covent Garden in 1971; at the London Coliseum he conducted Wagner's Ring in 1973 and Parsifal in 1986; for Welsh National Opera he conducted Tristan in 1979 and The Valkyrie in 1984. He also conducted Bruckner's symphonies.