Meriel Dickinson obituary

Mezzo-soprano who performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Welsh National Opera and was acclaimed for her interpretations of Kurt Weill

The mezzo-soprano Meriel Dickinson, who has died aged 86, was recognised internationally for both her classical and contemporary vocal repertoire. In operas, oratorios and premieres of new works, she performed with some of the greatest composers of the last century – Benjamin Britten, Pierre Boulez, John Cage and Aaron Copland – as well as leading conductors such as Adrian Boult and Simon Rattle.

Highlights of her career included Beethoven’s Choral Symphony at the 1969 Vienna festival under George Szell. She recalled: “I was understandably nervous of Szell. His somewhat autocratic manner had been known to subdue the London Symphony Orchestra. However, in the end he was very charming, complimenting me on my voice and German pronunciation.”