Franz Welser-Most Austrian conductor Date of Birth: 16.08.1960 Country: Austria

1. Biography of Franz Welser-Möst
2. Early Life and Musical Ambitions
3. The Name Change and Early Career
4. Operatic Success and Current Engagements
5. Health Scare and Continuing Career

Biography of Franz Welser-Möst

Franz Welser-Möst is an Austrian conductor, renowned for his work with various musical ensembles. Currently, he serves as the musical director of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Vienna State Opera.

Early Life and Musical Ambitions

Franz Leopold Maria Möst was born in 1960 in Linz, Austria. From a young age, he was involved in music, initially learning to play the violin. However, his ambitions as a violinist were cut short when he was involved in a car accident. Following the accident, Franz turned his attention to conducting.

The Name Change and Early Career

In 1985, Franz changed his stage name to Franz Welser-Möst, reportedly in honor of the town of Wels, where he spent his childhood. During the 1980s, he began performing with significant musical ensembles such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur.

For the first five years of his international career, Welser-Möst appeared as a guest conductor. In 1990, he became the principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held until 1996. However, his tenure with the orchestra was met with mixed reviews, as critics often questioned his leadership abilities.

Operatic Success and Current Engagements

From 1995 to 2000, Welser-Möst served as the conductor of the orchestra at the Zurich Opera House. During his time there, he conducted 27 premieres, most notably the cycle "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung). In September 2005, he became the general music director of the Zurich Opera House, initially planning to stay until 2011. However, Welser-Möst left in 2008 to assume the same position at the Vienna State Opera, where he remains the musical director to this day.

In 2002, Welser-Möst began his collaboration with the Cleveland Orchestra, initially signing a five-year contract. His contract has been extended twice, and he continues to lead this prestigious ensemble.

Health Scare and Continuing Career

On March 31, 2013, during a performance of Wagner's opera "Parsifal," Welser-Möst fell ill. Despite experiencing sharp pain in his lower back, he continued conducting until collapsing at the end of the first act. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where it was determined that he had suffered a vascular collapse. Fortunately, his life was not in danger. However, for upcoming opera performances at the Vienna State Opera in early April, another conductor will stand in for Welser-Möst at the podium.