Georges Prêtre

Georges Prêtre was a fiery and charismatic French conductor known for his electrifying interpretations of opera and orchestral works, especially by French composers like Saint-Saëns, Poulenc, and Berlioz. Born in 1924, he built a career marked by dramatic flair and a knack for drawing out vivid colors from orchestras, earning him collaborations with legends like Maria Callas (he conducted her final performances of *Carmen* and *Tosca*) and partnerships with top ensembles like the Vienna Philharmonic. A maestro with a taste for theatricality, Prêtre was a favorite at La Scala and the Paris Opera, and he even led the prestigious Vienna New Year’s Concert twice—unusual for a non-Austrian conductor. His later years saw him championing lesser-known French works (like Landowski’s symphonies) and delivering spirited performances of classics, including Verdi operas sung in French. His final concert at Milan’s La Scala in 2016, at age 92, was a poignant farewell to a career spanning over six decades, blending his trademark passion with the wisdom of a lifetime in music. He passed away in 2017, leaving a legacy of recordings that crackle with energy and love for the art form.

Genres

Opera

Classical

Latest Release

Saint-Saëns: Symphonies & La jeunesse d'Hercule

Camille Saint-Saëns•

Georges Prêtre•

Wiener Symphoniker

Album - 13 Tracks - Released August 9, 2024