Kurt Adler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kurt Adler
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| Born | March 1, 1907 Neuhaus, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now Jindřichův Hradec, Czech Republic)
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| Died | September 21, 1977 (aged 70) |
| Nationality | Austrian/Czech |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | University of Vienna (MA) |
| Occupation | Conductor, Pianist, Chorus Master |
| Known for | Conductor and Chorus Master, New York Metropolitan Opera, 1943–1973 |
Kurt Adler (born March 1, 1907 – died September 21, 1977) was a talented musician. He was from Austria and became famous as a chorus master and music conductor. He also wrote books and played the piano.
Kurt Adler is best known for his work at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He was the main chorus master and conductor there from 1943 to 1973. He conducted music in many countries, including Austria, Germany, the United States, and Canada.
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Kurt Adler's Early Life
Kurt Adler was born in a town called Jindřichův Hradec (then known as Neuhaus). This was in a region called Bohemia, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, this town is in the Czech Republic.
He grew up in a Jewish family. Sadly, during World War II, his parents were killed by the Gestapo. They were sent to concentration camps in 1942.
In the 1930s, many musicians, including Kurt Adler, moved to the United States. They wanted to escape from Nazism in Europe. Kurt Adler left Europe in 1938 on a ship called the "SS Statendam." He became an American citizen in 1944.
Kurt Adler's Education and Learning
Kurt Adler started learning music when he was six years old. His first public performance was when he was fourteen.
He studied music in Vienna, Austria. He learned piano from teachers like Professor Richard Robert. He also studied music theory and conducting. In 1927, he earned a degree in Musicology from the University of Vienna. This degree is similar to a Master of Arts.
Kurt Adler's Career in Music
Kurt Adler began his professional music career in Germany. He worked at the Berlin State Opera. Later, he worked at the German Opera Theatre in Prague and the Municipal Opera House in Berlin.
In 1943, he joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He became the Chorus Master there. This meant he was in charge of training and leading the opera's choir. He worked at the Metropolitan Opera until 1973.
When he was hired, the Metropolitan Opera announced that he would be the first single Chorus Master for all the different types of opera music (Italian, French, German, English) in ten years. This showed how important his role was.
Languages Kurt Adler Spoke
Kurt Adler was very good with languages. He could speak:
- English
- German
- Czech
- Russian
- French
- Italian
- Spanish
- Latin
- Greek
- Romanian
- Yiddish
- Hebrew
Kurt Adler's Important Jobs and Performances
Kurt Adler had many important roles throughout his career:
- 1927–1929: He was an Assistant Conductor at the Berlin State Opera. His first opera was Peer Gynt.
- 1929–1932: He worked as a Conductor at the Prague German Opera Theater.
- 1933–1938: He conducted symphony concerts and operas all over Europe.
- 1933: He started the Unio Opera Company in Vienna.
- 1933–1935: He was the First Conductor at the National Opera House of Ukraine in Kiev.
- 1935–1937: He founded and led the Symphonic Orchestra Stalingrad in the Soviet Union.
- 1938–1943: In the U.S.A., he conducted concerts and performed as a pianist.
- 1943–1973: He was the Chorus Master and Conductor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
- 1944–1947: He was the Musical Director for Opera Nacional and Opera de Mexico in Mexico City.
- He also conducted many opera and symphony performances on radio and television.
Kurt Adler's Teaching Roles
Besides performing, Kurt Adler also taught music:
- 1929–1932: He organized and conducted the Students Orchestra at the German Academy of Music in Prague.
- 1934–1935: He conducted the orchestra at the Kiev Conservatory of Music in Ukraine.
- 1935–1937: He was a professor for the opera class at the Conservatory of Music in Stalingrad (now Volgograd).
- 1938–1941: He taught piano, music theory, and chamber music in New York City.
Kurt Adler's Thoughts on Music
Kurt Adler was once asked about his greatest achievement. He said it was escaping Hitler and starting the first Symphonic Orchestra in Stalingrad.
He believed that being honest in art and treating other artists with respect were very important. He also said his most exciting musical moment was hearing the conductor Toscanini in 1928.
Kurt Adler's Personal Life
Kurt Adler was married twice. On March 10, 1948, he married Irene Hawthorne. She was a lead ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera.
On September 16, 1965, he married Christiane Tocco. They had one daughter named Eveline.
Kurt Adler passed away at his home in Butler, New Jersey, on September 21, 1977.
He enjoyed collecting stamps and books. He was also very athletic and played soccer, field hockey, tennis, and ping-pong. He played several instruments, including the piano, organ, harmonica, harpsichord, and celeste.
