The Belfast-born conductor studied at the Royal College of Music, where he was a student of Sir Adrian Boult, and began his career with Glyndebourne Festival Opera and English National Opera (then known as Sadler’s Wells Opera). Kenneth joined the Sinfonietta in 1973 before moving to the Netherlands, where he made his home and established himself as a conductor on the international stage.
In 1975, Kenneth was appointed principal conductor of the Dutch Radio Symphony Orchestra, and later became director of the Dutch Radio Choir. In 1991, he joined the Royal Conservatory in The Hague as director of opera studies.
In 2006, he was named principal conductor of the Ulster Orchestra, and in 2010, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for services to music in Northern Ireland
Kenneth is survived by his husband, Jan van Dooren.
Head of Marketing (and former Concerts Director of Bournemouth Sinfonietta), Anthony Brown, said: “Kenneth was the most gracious and generous of people. He played an important role in establishing the artistic pedigree of the Sinfonietta and remained a good friend to players and audiences alike for many years. I am privileged to have worked with him”