Overview

• He died Saturday in Munich at age 95, two days before his 96th birthday, as confirmed by his wife to the dpa news agency.
• Career milestones included becoming Germany’s youngest Generalmusikdirektor in Lübeck at 27, leading the Hamburgische Staatsoper (1977–84), and serving as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra (1984–2002).
• He later held prominent posts with London’s Philharmonia Orchestra and the Orchestre de Paris, then returned to Hamburg to head the NDR Sinfonieorchester from 2004 to 2011.
• Known for advancing contemporary, director-led opera, he paired tradition with innovative staging and championed new and 20th‑century works while advocating for Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie.
• NDR chief Hendrik Lünenborg called his death a great loss and credited him with elevating the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, citing acclaimed 2007 New York appearances; the Cleveland Orchestra also expressed its sorrow.