Richard Morrison is the chief culture writer for The Times, and the classical music and opera critic. Born and bred in London, he studied music at Cambridge University, and began his working life as a pianist, organist and trombonist. However, he was quickly drawn into the world of music journalism. He was appointed deputy editor of Classical Music magazine in 1978, music critic for The Listener in 1982, and deputy editor of Early Music in 1983. He became music critic of The Times in 1984. From 1989 to 1999 he also edited the paper’s arts pages. His centenary history of the London Symphony Orchestra received wide acclaim. He devotes most of his spare time to music-making in north London.
