The English National Opera has announced the death of Senior Artistic Adviser John McMurray.

Murray joined the ENO as Head of Casting in 2006 and in 2015, following the departure of John Berry, became Senior Artistic Adviser. He would remain in that position until he left in 2017, working on all productions during this period.

In a statement from the ENO Harry Brunjes, said, “On behalf of English National Opera we are all saddened to hear this tragic and indeed untimely news. John McMurray was a respected, knowledgeable and committed Casting Director at ENO over a period of many years. It must also be remembered that John was central to the life and development of the Harewood Artists programme which is part of his legacy. John was a good man and it is disappointing that he did not have longer to enjoy his well-deserved retirement. The thoughts of all of us are with Amanda.”

Before his position at the ENO, McMurray worked at the Classical Music Magazine in the 1980s.