Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

March 1, 1907 in Bohemia

Death

:

September 21, 1977 in Butler, NJ

Period

:

Romantic

 

Kurt Adler was a renowned conductor and choral director who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on April 15, 1907, in Vienna, Austria, Adler was raised in a family of musicians. His father, Julius Adler, was a well-known conductor and composer, and his mother, Marie Adler, was a pianist. From a young age, Adler showed a keen interest in music and began studying piano and composition. Adler's musical education began at the Vienna Conservatory, where he studied composition with Franz Schmidt and conducting with Felix Weingartner. After completing his studies, Adler worked as a conductor and pianist in Vienna and Berlin. In 1933, he fled Nazi Germany and moved to the United States, where he continued his career as a conductor and choral director. Adler's first major appointment in the United States was as the conductor of the Westminster Choir, a position he held from 1938 to 1947. During his tenure with the choir, Adler gained a reputation as a skilled conductor and choral director. He also became known for his innovative programming, which included works by contemporary composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Benjamin Britten. In 1947, Adler was appointed the music director of the New York City Opera, a position he held until 1951. During his time with the company, Adler conducted numerous productions, including the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Consul." He also worked with many notable singers, including Beverly Sills, Richard Tucker, and Robert Merrill. In 1953, Adler was appointed the music director of the Metropolitan Opera, a position he held until 1973. During his tenure with the company, Adler conducted over 2,000 performances and worked with many of the world's greatest singers, including Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, and Plácido Domingo. He also conducted numerous world premieres, including Samuel Barber's "Vanessa" and Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Last Savage." Adler was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in his singers and orchestra. He was also known for his innovative productions, which often incorporated modern design elements and technology. One of his most famous productions was the 1967 staging of Richard Wagner's "Ring" cycle, which featured sets designed by the artist Salvador Dalí. In addition to his work with the Metropolitan Opera, Adler was also a prolific recording artist. He recorded numerous operas and choral works, including Handel's "Messiah" and Bach's "St. Matthew Passion." He also conducted the soundtrack for the 1956 film "The Ten Commandments." Throughout his career, Adler received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1966, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was also awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1972 and the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1973. Adler retired from the Metropolitan Opera in 1973 but continued to conduct and teach until his death in 1977. He was remembered as a passionate and dedicated musician who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his innovative productions, and the countless musicians he inspired and mentored throughout his career.

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