Brott, a famous conductor and motivational speaker with deep ties to Hamilton, was 78 years old. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden and tragic death of the one and only musical genius and Canadian artistic visionary Boris Broth,” the Brott Music Festival said in an afternoon statement on its Instagram account. The conductor founded the festival and his wife, Ardith, serves as its executive director. “Everyone who appreciated his unsurpassed talent and those who loved him will be greatly missed … As the family and staff process this unthinkable news, we are asking for privacy right now,” the festival said in a statement.

The SIU is investigating

Hamilton police said they were hit and pulled earlier in the day in the Durand district of the city earlier in the day, saying a 78-year-old man had died. They did not confirm Brott’s identity, but told CBC that there were no other deadly pedestrian clashes in the city on Tuesday. Police said someone called 911 at 10 a.m. ET for a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road on Mount Hamilton. “Operators issued a show exclusively with cars asking patrols to watch the vehicle,” a police statement said. At about 10:20 a.m., a man was hit on Park Street South on Markland Street. Police said he was taken to hospital but later died. The pursuit of the police after the incident led to an investigation by the Ontario police guard, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), after three police officers and the driver were injured. Police said the driver fled the scene but was arrested on Elmwood Avenue near Garth Street. The three police officers and the accused were taken to hospital, according to police. The Hamilton Police Reconstruction Unit is investigating the collision and police used a drone at the scene. CBC Hamilton expects more details from police and the SIU.

Tributes are flooding

The reaction and tributes to Brot’s death began to rain immediately after the news of his death. “I’m very sorry to hear about the tragic death of Boris Broot. He was a great music ambassador for the city of Hamilton. A great loss,” the Hamilton-based Junior Boys wrote on Twitter. “I’m absolutely shocked and saddened by the news of Boris Broot’s death. Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger tweeted Tuesday night, “I’m struggling to find the words to express my grief over the tragic death of Maestro Boris Broot today. I will make a more complete statement shortly. At this time I want to send my deepest and most sincere condolences to Ardyth Webster Brott and his family. “ Completely shocked and saddened by the news of Boris Brot’s death. He was a Canadian treasure hunter and his visionary musical talent made all Hamiltonians proud. Ted and I extend our deepest condolences to Ardith and family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7n5UvuY23A – @ shaw_sandy
The Brott Music Festival started in 1988 in Hamilton. He said Broth developed six Canadian orchestras, including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, where he was music director for 23 years. In 1987 he became an Officer of the Order of Canada. The Orchestra classique de Montréal issued a statement saying it was in “shock and disbelief” and that Brott was the “heart and soul” of the orchestra. Orchestra’s board chairman Deborah Corber and chief executive Taras Kulish told CBC Hamilton on Tuesday night that Brott had a special ability to make classical music relate to just about anyone, helping young musicians get started. “Boris’ presence, whether he was making music or talking about music or telling a story about music, always made music come alive and make it seem like it really was for everyone,” Korber said. “He was young at heart.” Kulish said that despite his musical success and prestige, he remained humble and never lost his passion for art. But Boris was more than just a master of music. He was a man of many languages, he spoke English, French, Italian, Spanish and a little German. It was also witty and “an encyclopedia of jokes,” according to Kulish. Kulish and Corber said there will be a memorial service later. The hit and run on Tuesday marks the seventh Hamilton accident that led to the death of a pedestrian this year. This incident is among a series of conflicts that have killed elderly people. Police say anyone who has seen Tuesday’s incident or has a video can contact Det.-Sgt. Catherine Lockley at 905-546-3833.