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Born: August 12, 1935 - Budapest, Hungary
Died: October 25, 2020 - Cologne (Köln), North Rhine-Westphalia Germany |
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The Hungarian-born Austrian conductor, pianist and harpsichordist, György [Gyorgy, Gyorgy J., Georg] Fischer, received training at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and at the Salzburg Mozarteum
György Fischer was Assistant to Herbert von Karajan at the Wiener Staatsoper, where he conducted W.A. Mozart's Die Zauberflöte and Die Entführung aus dem Serail. He became a specialist in the works of W.A. Mozart. He become the Principal Conductor of the Oper Köln, where he would conduct an acclaimed Mozart cycle, produced by Jean Pierre Ponnelle beginning with La Clemenza di Tito in 1969, being one of his many accomplishments with the company. He departed from the company in 1990 and continued to perform internationally. He conducted the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, including W.A. Mozart's Don Giovanni, ldomeneo and Die Zauberflöte in South America; Cimarosa's Le Astuzie Femminili at Wexford. He made his UK debut with the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff in 1973; returned for W.A. Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro. He made his London debut in 1979 with the UK premiere of W.A. Mozart's Mitridate at the Camden Festival. He conducted the English Chamber Orchestra from 1980. He made his debut with Australian Opera in 1987-1988 season, conducted Cosi Fan Tutte in 1990. He conducted on Don Giovanni for Vancouver Opera 1988.
György Fischer was often heard as accompanist to leading singers, including his former wife Lucia Popp.
György Fischer he married opera singer Lucia Popp. After being divorced from her he married American violinist Ida Bieler. He was cousin of Adam Fischer and Iván Fischer. His sister-in-law was Hungarian actress Flóra Kádár, the first wife of his elder brother, DOP and photojournalist Péter Fischer. After his retirement, he lived away from public life and spent his remaining time with his family. Hie died in Köln, Germany on October 25, 2020, aged 85.
Recordings include: W.A. Mozart's arias for soprano voice with Kiri Te Kanawa and Teresa Berganza. He also made a number of recordings with Edita Gruberová, Edita Gruberová, and Cecilia Bartoli, among others. |
