Clemens Krauss facts for kids
Clemens Heinrich Krauss (born March 31, 1893 – died May 16, 1954) was a famous Austrian conductor. He was especially known for his work with the music of Richard Strauss, Johann Strauss (the "Waltz King"), and Richard Wagner. Krauss also started the famous New Year's Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. He conducted this popular concert every year until 1954.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Clemens Krauss was born in Vienna, Austria. His mother, Clementine Krauss, was a talented dancer and singer. When he was young, Clemens sang in the Hofkapelle, which was the Imperial Choir. He had a very beautiful soprano voice, like a high singing voice.
He studied music at the Vienna Conservatory. He learned about composing music and music theory. After he finished his studies in 1912, he became a chorus master in a theater in Brünn (now Brno, Czech Republic). He made his first appearance as a conductor there in 1913.
Clemens Krauss was married twice. His first wife was Margarethe Abraham, and they had two sons. Later, he married the Romanian opera singer Viorica Ursuleac. She often sang in the operas he conducted.
A Growing Career in Music
Krauss began his career by conducting in different cities. He worked in Riga (1913–1914), Nuremberg (1915), and Stettin (1916–1921). These early jobs helped him gain experience. He often traveled to Berlin to watch famous conductors like Arthur Nikisch.
In 1922, the famous composer Richard Strauss invited Krauss to join the Vienna State Opera. Krauss also taught conducting classes in Vienna. He conducted many concerts and became the director of the opera in Frankfurt from 1924 to 1929.
Krauss made his first appearance at the Salzburg Festival in 1926. In 1929, he traveled to the United States to conduct orchestras like the Philadelphia Orchestra. That same year, he became the director of the Vienna State Opera. There, he conducted many new operas, including some by Richard Strauss. He also led the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra as its music director starting in 1930.
Challenges and Help During Difficult Times
In the mid-1930s, Krauss left his positions in Vienna. He then moved to Berlin to direct the Berlin State Opera in 1935. This was a challenging time in Germany, as the Nazi government was in power.
Clemens Krauss was never a member of the Nazi party. He and his wife, Viorica Ursuleac, secretly helped Jewish people escape from Germany. They worked with two British sisters, Ida and Louise Cook, who loved opera. Krauss helped them by arranging opera shows in cities where the Cooks needed to meet people who were trying to escape. This brave effort helped at least 29 Jewish people find safety.
Krauss became a close friend of Richard Strauss. He even wrote the story (libretto) for Strauss's opera Capriccio, which he conducted for the first time in 1942. He also conducted the first performances of other Strauss operas, like Friedenstag and Die Liebe der Danae.
Post-War Years and Legacy
After World War II, Krauss was investigated by Allied officials. He was not allowed to perform publicly until 1947. Once he was cleared, he returned to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic. He continued to lead their famous annual New Year's Day concerts. These concerts featured lively waltzes and polkas by Johann and Josef Strauss. Many of these performances were recorded.
In 1951, he conducted in London at the Covent Garden. In 1953, he was invited to the Bayreuth Festival for the first time. There, he conducted Richard Wagner's famous Ring Cycle of operas. This performance is still highly regarded today.
Clemens Krauss passed away in 1954 while on tour with the Vienna Philharmonic in Mexico City. He is buried in Austria next to his wife, Viorica Ursuleac.
Recordings
Krauss made several important recordings during his career. One famous recording is his 1950 version of Johann Strauss II's opera Die Fledermaus with the Vienna Philharmonic. His live performance of Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle from Bayreuth in 1953 has also been released on CD. He also recorded Beethoven's Choral Fantasy with the Vienna Symphony.
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See also
In Spanish: Clemens Krauss para niños
