Christopher Wilcox
1941-2023
October 4, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Chris Wilcox, who founded Scotia Festival of Music and led it for nearly forty years, died yesterday in Halifax at the age of 82.
Chris had been living with Parkinson's Disease since 2015 and in the last few weeks, his health deteriorated rapidly.
An enormous presence in the musical scene locally, nationally and internationally, Chris was a born impresario, who created a festival that has helped put Halifax on the musical map. Since 1980, Scotia Festival has attracted stellar musicians to Halifax from across North America and beyond. Chris's personality and vision were always central to the festival's success; his profound love for music, his genius for bringing musicians together, his curiosity and love of the unexpected, and his quirky personal style and sense of fun - all were legendary.
Chris (left) and Scotia Festival co-founder Bob Marcellus at Peggy’s Cove, 1979
One of the greatest events in the festival's history was the visit, at Chris's personal invitation, of the great French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez and his entire Ensemble Intercontemporain in 1991. This culminated in an orchestral concert that has gone down in Halifax history, with Boulez conducting three epic works for large orchestra: Debussy's La Mer, Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin, and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring.
Another important part of Chris's legacy came in 2002, with the opening of the Music Room. It was typical of Chris's vision and daring to conceive and build a concert hall from scratch. Now in its 22nd year, the Music Room continues to be a busy and valued community resource, just as Chris envisaged.
Chris and composer/conductor Pierre Boulez, Scotia Festival 1991
Chris outside McSorley’s Old Ale House in New York City, 2017
Chris lived for music, but his other passions included squash and bridge, both of which he continued to play until just a few weeks ago. He was also known as a serious collector of antiques and folk art. In all these pursuits, he shared his enthusiasm with everyone he met, and took great pleasure in introducing his wide circles of friends to classical music.
There will be a celebration of Chris's life and work during Scotia Festival 2024. Further details will be announced closer to that time.
Vale, Chris Wilcox, and thank you. You have touched thousands of lives, and you will be deeply missed.