Dvora Lewis (left) with Kathryn McDowell, 2015
With much sadness, I write to let you know that Dvora Lewis, the LSO’s greatly respected PR for 37 years until 2015 and Honorary Member of the LSO, passed away suddenly this morning. She will be greatly missed, but we shall treasure the memory of a truly wonderful woman. Her professionalism and her expertise were far ahead of its time, and her humanity touched everyone who knew her. The email I received from her husband Michael this morning says it all.
I am sorry to inform you that Dvora passed away from a heart attack in the Royal Free early this morning after having been admitted yesterday. She didn’t suffer. After her family the LSO was the love of her life and I should like to thank you and all in the orchestra for the honour and pleasure that the LSO gave her over so many years She so enjoyed the Mendelssohn concerto on Sunday.
This is indeed sad news – Dvora was the doyenne of professional classical music public relations, a firm friend and a genuinely warm individual.
Dvora was the ultimate pro and a truly lovely person. I fondly remember a week I spent in Israel trailing the LSO and Sir Colin Davis (with Maxim Vengerov) for a series of concerts – my presence arranged by Dvora (for The Independent, who I was writing for at the time). It was a terrific experience for me, being befriended by the LSO’s double bass desk (then led by Jonathan Vaughan), visiting Jerusalem (a life-changing experience, thanks to Dvora and Michael) and – wait for it! – being offered face-masks in case Saddam’s threatening missiles materialised. There’s an amusing twist here, too. Sibelius 5 was on the programme. In more than one venue when the Symphony drew to a close with its disembodied single chords, the audience would applaud after the first one, then applaud again rather more soberly after the second, more meekly still after third so by the end of the work there was no applause at all – Sir Colin had to cue some! On another occasion Dvora arranged for me to interview a certain glamorous lady violinist. When I returned to her office afterwards she asked me, with characteristic candour, ‘are you in love, dear?’ ‘NO’ was my decisive answer. We both laughed, of course. As is customary among Jewish people, I wish Michael and the family long life.
Dear Dvora – you were a huge part of my writing life. We had so many adventures. You were incredibly generous with contacts and your amazing ability to make things happen.
As two Jewish women who bonded over the often crazy world of classical musicians we had a phrase for why we chased interviews and stories. It was Dvora’s mantra to me.
‘We’re very lucky. This is so much better than playing bridge in the afternoon.”
Wishing all the family strength and love. To Kathryn and the LSO – it was absolutely the best of times. Dvora will be so missed.
This is sad news indeed. Dvora was my favourite PR lady when I was editing What’s On In London magazine. She was always helpful, charming, friendly, thoroughly good at her job, which accounts for her 37 years with the LSO, and always a delight to be with.
I have so many memories of Dvora in such a variety of places and events – filming with her, celebrating with her and so often seeking her advice and help. She turned PR into an art form, injecting it with warmth, humour and emotion as well as establishing an amazing network of knowledge, contacts and experience. Her brilliant work with the LSO secured her a unique place in their history.
Dvora was such a delight to work with, whether on our TV programmes “Resurrecting St Luke’s” or in Verbier with “The Magic Mountain” or enabling film interviews with so many of the musical greats. She was always cheerful, (“My dear, are you sitting down…?”), super-efficient, supportive (“You’re a star!”) and best of all, always there. And she will stay there, in the hearts of those who loved and appreciated her.