Percy Pitt

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Percy Pitt (January 4, 1870-November 23, 1932) was an English organist and conductor.

A native of London, Pitt studied music at the conservatory in Leipzig, also working in Munich with Josef Rheinberger. Returning home in 1893, he held various posts as both organist and choirmaster before being appointed chorus master for Covent Garden in 1906; within a year he had become first an assistant conductor and then principal conductor. He remained with the company until 1915, when he joined the Beecham Opera Company as conductor. There he remained until 1920, when he became director of the British National Opera; he stayed with that company until 1924. Also in 1924 he returned to Covent Garden, this time as principal conductor. In 1926 he became general musical director of the BBC, remaining there until he was succeeded by Sir Adrian Boult in 1930. Pitt died in London in 1932.