Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

April 10, 1892 in Trieste, Italy

Death

:

December 11, 1967 in Santa Margherita Ligure

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

Victor de Sabata was a renowned Italian conductor and composer who was born on April 10, 1892, in Trieste, Italy. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and his parents recognized his musical talent at an early age. He began studying piano and composition with his mother, and later studied conducting with Felix Weingartner and Arturo Toscanini. De Sabata made his conducting debut at the age of 19 with the Orchestra of La Scala in Milan, and quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative conductor. He was appointed the principal conductor of the Orchestra of La Scala in 1920, a position he held until 1930. During his tenure, he conducted many premieres of contemporary works, including those by Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and Berg. In 1930, de Sabata was appointed the principal conductor of the Vienna State Opera, where he remained until 1933. He was known for his passionate and dramatic interpretations of operas, and his performances of Wagner's Ring cycle were particularly acclaimed. He also conducted the premiere of Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck in 1925, which was a groundbreaking work in the history of opera. De Sabata's career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Italian army. After the war, he resumed his conducting career and became the principal conductor of the Orchestra of La Scala once again, a position he held from 1946 to 1953. He also conducted the New York Philharmonic and the London Philharmonic Orchestra during this time. De Sabata was also a prolific composer, although he is primarily remembered for his conducting. His compositions include orchestral works, chamber music, and operas. His most famous work is his opera Il Macigno, which premiered in 1927 and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. De Sabata was known for his intense and demanding conducting style, and he was respected by musicians for his ability to bring out the best in them. He was also known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create a powerful and emotional musical experience for audiences. De Sabata received many awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in London and the Gold Medal of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. De Sabata died on December 11, 1967, in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy, at the age of 75. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century, and his recordings continue to be admired and studied by musicians and music lovers around the world.

More....