Moran Caplat, 86; Headed British Opera Festival for 32 Years

Moran Caplat, 86, manager of the Glyndebourne Opera Festival in Britain for 32 years, died of unspecified causes June 19 at Tunbridge Wells in Kent, England.

Caplat began his long career with the festival in 1945 as an assistant to general manager Rudolf Bing when founding owner John Christie was trying to reestablish an event initially staged at Christie’s country estate in 1934. Lavish picnic suppers became a part of the outdoor festival’s success, along with the quality of musical performances.

When Bing left to become head of New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1949, Caplat was named general manager. The title was later changed to general administrator, and Caplat remained until his retirement in 1981, building Glyndebourne into one of the most prestigious musical happenings in Europe.

Planning to become an actor, Caplat had studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and appeared in several productions before World War II. A yachtsman, he served in the British navy during the war. His 1958 autobiography was titled “Dinghies to Divas.”