Conductor Klaus Weise has Died, Aged 86

Weise was a highly sought-after conductor and served as general music director of Germany’s Theater Kiel

Born in the Pomerania region, Klaus Weise’s music career began in Germany. He eventually settled in Kiel, where he took on the general music director role at Theater Kiel from 1981 to 1985.

Weise also served as general music director of the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville, Germany’s Dortmund Philharmonic between 1985 and 1990, and also as chief conductor of Opéra de Nice and the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra until 1997.

In 2000, he became a freelancer and his engagements during this time led to his appointment as permanent guest conductor of the Royal Danish Opera, Royal Swedish Opera, Opéra National de Bordeaux, and the New York City Opera, plus guest conductor of Beijing’s China Philharmonic Orchestra. From 2001 to 2007, he returned to Kiel to guest conduct the Kiel Philharmonic.

Later, while serving as chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Halle, he resigned after two years from his post in 2007 following a dispute with the orchestra. From then on, Weise conducted orchestras in Turkey and Asia. He passed away in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France.

“In the few years that he was general music director in Kiel, Klaus Weise achieved a great deal,” former long-time cellist in the Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, Wolfgang Möller said in a statement by the orchestra. “He introduced the Philharmonic Concerts on Sunday mornings and hired great young soloists who were just starting their careers to come to Kiel. Among them was Anne-Sophie Mutter,” he recalled. “It was a very inspiring time!”

Our condolences to Mr. Weise’s family, friends, and colleagues.