John Owen Edwards, who conducted the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in all the Gilbert & Sullivan operas and coducted on London's West End, sent me a lovely birthday message:
John Owen Edwards
Hi Larry - I have been meaning to message you for a few days and your birthday has given me the kick up the arse to do it! So, firstly; a very happy birthday to you and I hope you have a gloriously indulgent day... secondly, since John Yap has been rejigging some of our recordings, I decided to listen to the ones we did - most of which I haven't heard since the day they came out. I was delighted to hear so much of your work again. Everything you did was always in perfect style and more than that, executed with wit and elegance. You also made the orchestral parts so interesting and fun to play. The orchestra always enjoyed them! So thank you so much for your great work - I am so pleased I was able to conduct a few examples, and may your next 77 years be even better than the last! With love from a very rainy Oxcfordshire, J. x