Role

:

Conductor Performer

Birth

:

May 10, 1919 in St. Gall, Switzerland

Death

:

April 16, 2001 in Verona, Italy

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

Peter Maag was a Swiss conductor who was born on August 10, 1919, in St. Gallen, Switzerland. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Maag began his musical studies at a young age, learning to play the piano and violin. He later studied conducting at the Zurich Conservatory, where he was a student of Volkmar Andreae. Maag began his career as a conductor in the early 1940s, working with various orchestras in Switzerland. In 1949, he was appointed as the conductor of the Winterthur Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 1957. During his time with the Winterthur Symphony Orchestra, Maag gained a reputation as a talented and innovative conductor. In 1955, Maag made his debut with the Vienna State Opera, conducting a production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." This performance was a great success, and Maag was invited to conduct several more productions at the Vienna State Opera over the next few years. Maag's international career began to take off in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He conducted several major orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. Maag was particularly known for his interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, and he was widely regarded as one of the leading conductors of his time. One of Maag's most notable performances was his 1960 recording of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" with the Philharmonia Orchestra. This recording is still considered one of the definitive interpretations of the opera, and it helped to cement Maag's reputation as a Mozart specialist. Maag also had a successful career as an opera conductor. He conducted productions at many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Salzburg Festival. Maag was particularly known for his interpretations of Mozart's operas, but he also conducted works by Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner. In addition to his work as a conductor, Maag was also a respected teacher. He taught conducting at the Salzburg Mozarteum and the Zurich Conservatory, and he mentored many young conductors who went on to have successful careers. Maag received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1961, he was awarded the Mozart Medal by the Mozart Society of America, and in 1970, he was made an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London. Maag was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1972 and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1980. Maag continued to conduct well into his later years, and he remained an active and respected figure in the classical music world until his death on April 16, 2001, in Lugano, Switzerland. He was 81 years old. In conclusion, Peter Maag was a highly respected and influential conductor who had a long and successful career. He was particularly known for his interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, and he was widely regarded as one of the leading conductors of his time. Maag's legacy continues to be felt in the classical music world, and his recordings and performances remain highly regarded by music lovers around the world.

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