ON THIS DAY | Australian Conductor Charles Mackerras Died

He was known for his love for Czech music – especially Janacek — which stemmed from a period of study in Prague

Australian conductor Sir Charles Mackerras died on this day in 2010, aged 84, from cancer.

An authority on the operas of Janáček, Mozart, and Gilbert and Sullivan, Mackerras served principal conducting positions with the English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Mackerras was born in New York state and grew up in Sydney, Australia. He was known as a perfectionist and for his rhythmically energetic, true-to-the-score interpretations for a wide range of repertoire.

JANÁČEK | "TARAS BULBA 'RHAPSODY" FOR ORCHESTRA | SIR CHARLES MACKERRAS & CZECH PHILHARMONIC