Dr David Russell Hulme BA (hons), MA, PhD, PGCE

David Russell Hulme was appointed Director of Music in 1992. He established the University Music Centre, bringing together the university and community in an outstandingly successful programme. As a conductor he directed showcase performances for the University by the symphony orchestra (Philomusica), the University Sinfonia, Sinfonia Cambrensis (the Centre's professional orchestra) and the University Singers, as well as for Aberystwyth Choral Society. He was awarded the prestigious Glyndwr Award in 2012 for his 'outstanding contribution to the Arts In Wales., David, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, was appointed Emeritus Reader in Music on his retirement in July 2020.

A pupil; of the legendary Sir Adrian Boult, David's busy professional conducting career has taken him to major venues throughout Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the USA , Canada and, most recently, Ukraine Appearances have been as far-flung as the Royal Canada Opera, Christchurch Festival (New Zealand) and Buxton International G&S Festival. A specialist in British music and musical theatre, he has worked regularly with the renowned Carl Rosa Opera Company, the world’s foremost English-language operetta company. Touring across Australia and New Zealand in 2001 was followed by the United States and Canada in 2004 and 2006. His 2010 recording of Edward German's 'Tom Jones' for Naxos continues to receive outstanding critical praise. It rose to No 3 in 'The Gramophone' classical charts and was twice chosen as a 'Recording of the year.' This major project is an excellent example of David's commitment to relating his scholarly work (outlined under Research) with performance.  

Future plans include more orchestral conducting in Ukraine (Zaporozhe and Kiev) and a tour of Hitchcock's silent masterpiece, Blackmail, accompanied by Neil Brand's acclaimed score.

David Russell Hulme studied music at UCW Aberystwyth under Ian Parrott. Gaining MA and PhD degrees for his research into British music, he has published extensively, including articles for the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and the BBC Proms. Specialising is textual work, and described in Opera as ‘our leading authority on Sullivan’s manuscripts,’ David has been closely involved in productions by leading opera companies including WNO, ENO, New Sadler’s Wells and D’Oyly Carte. He edited Sullivan’s music and was an adviser for Mike Leigh’s Oscar-winning film Topsy-Turvy. His ground-breaking, critically-acclaimed edition of Ruddigore, published by Oxford University Press, was recently staged by Opera North. He also collaborated as Consultant Editor on OUP’s new edition of The Yeomen of the Guard. Other editing for OUP ranges from Haydn’s Paukenmesse to Walton’s Second Symphony.

Specialising in reconstructing material from incomplete sources, his realisations of 'lost' music from Sullivan's operas have been showcased on the BBC's Friday Night is Music Night and are widely performed and recorded. Also a foremost authority of the music of Edward German, he produced performing editions and reconstructions of German's scores for John Wilson's BBC Concert Orchestra recordings on Dutton Vocalion. Other arrangements and orchestrations include music by the celebrated silent-film composer Neil Brand broadcast by the BBC and recently premiered at major venues including The Royal Albert Hall and The Barbican.