Kleiber, Carlos

▪ 2005

      German-born conductor (b. July 3, 1930, Berlin, Ger.—d. July 13, 2004, Slovenia), was widely regarded as one of the most important opera and symphony concert conductors of the latter half of the 20th century—despite a strictly controlled repertory, infrequent public performances, capricious behaviour, and a limited number of commercial recordings. Although Kleiber could be demanding and difficult (he often walked out on rehearsals or canceled performances at the last minute), his passionate interpretations and distinctive conducting style earned acclaim and made him much sought after. He was the son of the legendary Austrian conductor Erich Kleiber and was born in Germany while his father was general music director of the Berlin State Opera. In 1935 the family moved to Argentina, where Kleiber studied music and made his conducting debut in 1952.

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