Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Hungary

Birth

:

October 21, 1912 in Budapest, Hungary

Death

:

September 5, 1997 in Antibes, France

Genre

:

Opera

 

Georg Solti was a Hungarian-born conductor who became one of the most celebrated and influential figures in classical music during the 20th century. Born on October 21, 1912, in Budapest, Solti showed an early aptitude for music and began studying piano and composition at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in his hometown at the age of 14. After completing his studies, Solti began his career as a répétiteur (rehearsal pianist) at the Budapest Opera, where he quickly gained a reputation for his exceptional musical abilities. In 1937, he was appointed as the company's principal conductor, a position he held until 1942 when he was drafted into the Hungarian army during World War II. Following the war, Solti resumed his career as a conductor, first in Hungary and then in Switzerland, where he served as the music director of the Basel Opera from 1947 to 1952. In 1952, he made his debut with the Frankfurt Opera, which led to engagements with other major European orchestras and opera companies. Solti's breakthrough came in 1958 when he was appointed as the music director of the Covent Garden Opera in London. During his tenure, which lasted until 1961, he established himself as one of the leading conductors of his generation, earning critical acclaim for his performances of works by Mozart, Wagner, and Verdi. In 1961, Solti was appointed as the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for 22 years until his retirement in 1991. During his tenure, he transformed the orchestra into one of the world's leading ensembles, earning numerous accolades and awards for his recordings and performances. Solti's repertoire was vast and included works by composers from Bach to Bartók. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of the operas of Wagner and Strauss, and his recordings of these works remain among the most highly regarded in the classical music canon. Among Solti's many achievements were his 31 Grammy Awards, the most ever won by a classical musician, and his appointment as a Companion of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II in 1971. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1972 and was made a Knight Bachelor in 1972. Solti continued to conduct well into his 80s, and his final performance was with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1997, just months before his death on September 5 of that year. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest conductors of all time, whose passion for music and dedication to his craft inspired generations of musicians and music lovers around the world.

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