Albert Rosen facts for kids
Albert Rosen (born February 14, 1924 – died May 23, 1997) was a famous conductor. He was born in Austria but later became a citizen of both the Czech Republic and Ireland. He worked a lot with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and the Wexford Festival. He also conducted at important theatres in Prague and Plzeň. Albert Rosen especially loved the music of Czech composers like Smetana, Dvořák, Martinů, and Janáček.
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Biography
His Early Life and Education
Albert Rosen was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1924. His mother was Czech, and his father's family was Austrian-Jewish. In 1938, when Austria became part of Germany (this event was called the Anschluss), his family moved to Bratislava. In 1941, during a difficult time, he traveled to Israel (then called Mandatory Palestine). There, he worked on a farm called a kibbutz and also led an amateur choir.
In 1945, he returned to Bratislava. From 1946 to 1948, he studied music at the Vienna Academy of Music and the Prague Conservatory. He learned piano, composition, and conducting from famous teachers like Joseph Marx and Hans Swarowsky.
Starting His Career
Albert Rosen began his career in 1949 at the J. K. Tyl Theatre in Plzeň (Pilsen). He started as an assistant and chorus master, then became a conductor from 1953 to 1959. During this time, he helped create many operas, ballets, and plays.
In 1960, he joined the National Theatre in Prague. By 1964, he became the main conductor of the Smetana Theatre, which is part of the National Theatre. He held this important job until 1971, conducting many ballets and operas.
Working in Ireland
In 1965, Albert Rosen visited Ireland for the first time. He conducted the National Symphony Orchestra (then called the Radio Telefís Éireann Symphony Orchestra) at the Wexford Festival. This visit led to him becoming a regular conductor at the festival. He conducted 18 productions there, more than anyone else.
In 1969, he became the chief conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra. He held this role until 1981, when he became their main guest conductor. In 1994, he was given the special title of Conductor Laureate, which means he was honored for his great contributions to the orchestra.
International Performances
Albert Rosen also conducted in other countries. In 1980, he made his American debut at the San Francisco Opera. In Australia, he was the chief conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra from 1983 to 1985. He also led the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in 1986.
In 1988, he conducted the first British performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's opera Christmas Eve with the English National Opera. In 1993, he became the music director of the Irish National Opera.
He often worked with the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland in the 1990s, helping young musicians perform challenging pieces. He also conducted for other opera companies like the Welsh National Opera and Scottish Opera.
Albert Rosen became an Irish citizen. He passed away in Dublin on May 23, 1997, at the age of 73.
What He Conducted
Albert Rosen conducted many famous operas, including:
- Carmen by Bizet
- Tosca and Madama Butterfly by Puccini
- Il trovatore and Don Carlos by Verdi
- Lohengrin by Wagner
- The Bartered Bride by Smetana
- Salome by Richard Strauss
He also conducted less common but important works by Czech composers like Smetana and Dvořák. In 1978, he conducted the second and third performances ever of André Tchaikowsky's 2nd Piano Concerto. He also led major orchestral pieces like Messiaen's Turangalîla-Symphonie and Mahler's Eighth Symphony.
Recordings
Here are some of Albert Rosen's recordings:
- Antonín Dvořák: The Devil and Kate. Wexford Festival Opera 1988. Kultur Video 2005 (DVD)
- Peter Racine Fricker: Symphony No. 2 Op. 14, Comedy Overture Op. 32. BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. BBC/Lyrita 2017 (CD)
- Leoš Janáček: Jenůfa. Orchestra and Chorus of the San Francisco Opera, October 1, 1980. Gala 2004 (2 CDs)
- David Lumsdaine: Hagoromo and other orchestral works. The West Australian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Diego Masson (1) and Albert Rosen (2–4). Australian Broadcasting Company 1991 (CD)
