The Well-Tempered Ear
Classical music: Barbara DeMain — wife of Madison Symphony Orchestra music director and Madison Opera artistic director John DeMain — has died
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By Jacob Stockinger
Barbara DeMain (below) — the wife of John DeMain, the music director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the artistic director of the Madison Opera — died Thursday.
A member of the orchestra sent the following note:
“Earlier today, we received some very tragic news from the orchestra office.
“Barbara DeMain passed away earlier this morning after becoming ill late last evening.
“She was admitted to a hospital last evening while John was in rehearsal with the opera.
“Their daughter Jenny (below top on right, with her father) drove to Madison from Chicago and she and John (below bottom left, with Barbara) were with her all night until she passed.
“This is very tragic news, and we’re all wanting to reach out in any way we can to support the DeMain family. Once plans are made for a memorial or funeral, we’ll send the information out as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you all for keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.”
The Ear has heard that John DeMain plans on conducting the opera this weekend and the three MSO performances next weekend.
But he has not been able to verify that or other details about Barbara, who was born in Germany as Barbara Dittman, and met John in Houston, where he was the director of the Houston Grand Opera, in 1991. They married soon after meeting, and have been in Madison for 26 years. Barbara was a political activist and an arts consultant.
The Ear will pass along more details as he learns them.
Below — dedicated to Barbara DeMain — is a YouTube video of the “Pie Jesu” movement from the Requiem by Gabriel Faure.
Rest in peace, Barbara.
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