Michael Gielen

Michael Gielen (born July 20, 1927) is an Austrian conductor and composer.

He began his career as a pianist in Buenos Aires, having studied there with Erwin Leuchter, giving an early per

Michael Gielen (born July 20, 1927) is an Austrian conductor and composer.

He began his career as a pianist in Buenos Aires, having studied there with Erwin Leuchter, giving an early performance of Schoenberg's complete piano works. While serving as conductor and repetiteur at the Wiener Staatsoper (1951-1960), Gielen conducted much contemporary music outside the opera house. His next operatic appointment was as conductor of the Royal Opera in Stockholm (1960-1965), followed by posts at the Netherlands Opera and the Frankfurt Opera. He was principal conductor of the Belgian National Orchestra (1969-) and of the Cincinnati Symphony (1980-1986).