Michael Gielen

Germans urgently leaving the country for Argentina was a staple of the late 1940s, but Michael Gielen’s family – including his Jewish mother – were ahead of the curve, moving to Buenos Aires in 1938. It was there he learned the piano and, upon returning to what was now Austria with his family in the 1950s, he began his career in conducting – starting what was a trademark of bringing contemporary music into the opera firmament. He eventually ascended to the roles of principal conductor of the Belgian National Orchestra (1969–73) and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (1980–86). He retired in 2014 due to health issues, which have now seen him drop the baton for the final time.

Michael Gielen
20 July 1927 – 8 March 2019
Died aged 91 (unique hit)