Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Sir Edward Downes , ( born Birmingham , England , 17 June 1924 ; died Switzerland , 10 July 2009 ) was an English conductor .
Simplified: Sir Edward Thomas `` Ted '' Downes , CBE ( 17 June 1924 -- 10 July 2009 ) was an English conductor , specialising in opera .