John Tooley

Sir John Tooley (1 June 1924 – 18 March 2020) was an English musical administrator who served as the general director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Central London. He held a range of appointments in the musical world, serving as a trustee or board member for many organisations.

After serving for 15 years as assistant and later deputy to Sir David Webster, the founder of the Royal Opera, Tooley succeeded him as general administrator in 1970 and served in the post (later retitled general director) until retiring in 1988.

Life and career Tooley was born in Rochester and educated at Repton School and Magdalene College, Cambridge. He had ambitions to become a professional singer, but later decided on a career as a musical administrator. As an assistant adjutant in the Rifle Brigade during the World War II, he learned much about administration. He was appointed to succeed Webster, and held the post of general administrator until 1980, when it was renamed general director. He retired from the post in 1988.

Tooley held a large number of other appointments in the musical world, serving as a trustee or board member of the Walton Trust, the Britten Estate, the Southbank Centre and the Welsh National Opera among others.

Tooley died on 18 March 2020, aged 95. His family indicated the funeral would be private.