The gift is part of a $20 million bequest to establish a fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, which also benefits the New Haven Museum, Neighborhood Music School and the Connecticut Yankee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The NHSO will receive 40% of the income generated.

“For over 300 years, the English family has contributed to New Haven’s history helping to transform our City into Connecticut’s cultural center,” said Elaine C. Carroll, Executive Director. “Richard English’s historic gift assures that we will be an orchestra for the future. His generosity allows us to pursue new collaborations to better meet the needs of our community. For generations to come, music will be a lively presence in Connecticut thanks to Richard English.”

Richard English was an arts patron, pianist, and philanthropist with a passion for music and love of the New Haven community. Born in New Haven in 1935, he was the son of Philip and Katharine Dana English, an accomplished cellist. He was descended from noted Yale scientist James Dwight Dana on his mother’s side and two Connecticut governors on his father’s side. His grandfather, Henry English, was one of the founders of the NHSO in 1894.

As a young boy, English began attending NHSO concerts with his mother and his brother, James. Richard’s love of classical music blossomed into an impressive expertise and continued throughout his lifetime. He was educated at The Foote School, Pomfret, Proctor Academy, Nichols College, Quinnipiac College and Neighborhood Music School.

In the final months of his life Mr. English was still enjoying the NHSO, attending the Orchestra’s May 2011 performance of Mahler’s Symphony no. 7 “Resurrection.”