French Conductor Georges Prêtre Was Born in 1924

Prêtre was known for his seven-decade career and close associations with the world's top orchestras and soprano Maria Callas

Georges Prêtre was born in 1924 in Waziers, France, and studied at the Douai Conservatory from the age of eight. He later studied harmony with Maurice Duruflé and conducting under André Cluytens at the Conservatoire de Paris.

Prêtre made his first professional debut in 1946 as conductor of the Opera de Marseilles leading Lalo's Le Roi d'Ys. However, it was a performance of Saint-Saens' Samson et Dalila during which — infuriated by the rustle of candy wrappers in the audience — he yelled "Non!" and broke his baton and threw its pieces at the offenders, that made his name.

Throughout his seven-decade career, he led many of the world’s finest orchestras including New York’s Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opéra-Comique, La Scala, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Paris Opera, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Prêtre also collaborated with numerous outstanding artists and composers, including the legendary Maria Callas (while recording Bizet's Carmen and Puccini's Tosca), and Francois Poulenc (for the premiere of Poulenc's opera La voix humaine at the Opéra-Comique in 1959).

Aside from his work in opera, he was also renowned for performances of French music, conducting long and difficult works like Debussy's La mer and Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé from memory. Prêtre also conducted the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra New Year’s Day Concerts in 2008 and 2010. 

Among Prêtre's many awards of merit and recognition included the Europa Prize in 1982, the Victoire de la Musique Award (for best conductor) in 1997, and the Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur (France) in 2009.

He passed away in 2017, at the age of 92.

ERICK FRIEDMAN | BRUCH VIOLIN CONCERTO | 3RD MVT | GEORGES PRÊTRE & ORCHESTRE NATIONAL DE FRANCE | 1964