István Kertész

Istv?n Kert?sz (August 28, 1929 – April 16, 1973) was a Hungarian conductor, equally adept at opera and concert.

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Kertesz was born in Budapest, and studied music at the Franz Liszt Academy there, where his teachers included Zolt?n Kod?ly. He was influenced by Bruno Walter and Otto Klemperer, then director of the Budapest Opera.

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He left Hungary in 1956 and settled in West Germany, becoming music director at the Augsburg Opera, and then in 1964 the Cologne Opera. In Cologne, he conducted the first German performance of Britten's Billy Budd.

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He was principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1965 to 1968, during which time he made guest appearances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He was appointed conductor of the Bamberger Symphoniker in 1973 and shortly thereafter drowned while swimming off the coast of Israel while on a concert tour.

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His many recordings included the first complete recording of La clemenza di Tito.

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See also: List of Hungarian Jews

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August 28: August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining....

1929: 1929 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar)....

1973: 1973 was a common year starting on Monday....