Conductor Charles Mackerras dies at 84

The conductor Sir Charles Mackerras died in London on Wednesday at the age of 84. He was a champion of Czech classical music and was particularly associated with the composer Leoš Janáček, whose international profile he did much to raise. Sir Charles also worked with the Czech Philharmonic for five decades. He first came to Prague in 1947, and studied conducting under Václav Talich. Sir Charles Mackerras last visited the Czech capital in April, when he was presented with an award by the Czech Culture Ministry for promoting the good name of Czech culture.