Sir Charles Mackerras

Bio

Sir Charles Mackerras was an Australian conductor renowned for his authoritative interpretations of Czech composers and his championing of period-instrument performance. Born in Schenectady, New York, in 1925 and raised in Sydney, he studied in Prague and London before becoming a leading figure with the English National Opera and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He served as music director of the Welsh National Opera and principal guest conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, later holding the title of conductor laureate with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Mackerras was celebrated for his meticulous editions of Handel, Mozart, and Janáček operas, and he recorded extensively for EMI, Telarc, and Chandos. His discography includes landmark complete cycles of Janáček operas and the symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven. He received numerous honors including the Companion of the Order of Australia and a knighthood in 1979.