Hans Knappertsbusch Biography

The German conductor Hans Knappertsbusch (1888-1965) was born in Eberfeld. He first studied philosophy before turning to music at the Cologne Conservatory under Fritz Steinbach and Otto Lohse (1909-12). His career began at Mühlheim in 1911 in the Ruhr, soon followed by a post in Bochum, and from 1913-18 he worked as conductor in his native Eberfeld. He then moved to Leipzig and in 1922 became General Music Director at the Bavarian State Opera, a position he held until 1936 when he was dismissed by the Nazi régime. He first appeared in London at the Royal Opera House in 1937 conducting Salome. He also conducted at the Salzburg and Zürich Festival at this time, before working in Vienna from 1936 until 1938 and intermittently during the war years, 1946-1950. He then based himself in Munich after 1954.