Charles Mackerras

Sir Alan Charles Maclaurin Mackerras, AC, CH, CBE ( born November 17, 1925 in Schenectady, New York State, USA, † 14 July 2010 ) was an Australian conductor whose focal points in the baroque and classical repertoire were (Henry Purcell, George Frideric Handel, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), as well as in bohemian- Czech (notably Leoš Janáček, Smetana ) and in the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire.

He studied and played first oboe in Sydney, before turning to conducting. Formative years of his study were with Václav Talich in Prague, from which he emerged as the guardian of the Bohemian tradition. From 1948 to 1977 he conducted regularly at London's Sadler 's Wells Theatre ( most recently as its music director ), from 1961 to 1963 at the Berlin State Opera, from 1965 to 1970 at the Hamburg State Opera and since 1964 also in Covent Garden. His debut at the Metropolitan Opera, he celebrated in 1972, Paris was followed a year later. Ever since Mackerras was one of the world's most sought after and most honored conductors, and was since the death of Rafael Kubelík well as the most authentic " Czech " Conductor of the old school. Mackerras was an honorary citizen of Prague and headed for decades regularly by the Czech Philharmonic.

Groundbreaking in Mackerras ' discounted graphical career was his star-studded, and historically accurate recording of the Messiah (1967, with, inter alia, Robert Tear, Janet Baker and Elizabeth Harwood ), which is still valid despite mediocre choirs as a milestone. Also, his recordings of the operas of Janáček - who owe him more than anyone else their modern recognition on Western platforms - regarded as exemplary.

Mackerras (along with Dr. Marion North ) President of Trinity Laban.

Swell

  • Sir Charles Mackerras - Short Biography on klassik.com
  • Sir Charles Mackerras - obituary in the Daily Telegraph of 15 July 2010 ( English)
  • Guardian of the arbor - Article in Time of 8 December 2005 on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Mackerras
  • January Brachmann: Conductor Charles Mackerras dies - The sound of the delicate nature of swarming on the website of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of July 15, 2010
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