André Cluytens

[3] His father Alphonse, conductor of the Théâtre Royal Français Opera House, engaged his son as a chorusmaster and coach.

[1] In 1932, he became the principal conductor at the Théâtre du Capitole of Toulouse, adding further to his repertoire, including operas such as Boris Godunov, Lohengrin, Ernani, Tannhäuser, Otello, Die Walküre and The Marriage of Figaro as well as several operettas.

[1] In 1935 he moved to the Opéra National de Lyon as principal conductor, adding more Wagner to his repertoire (Das Rheingold and Siegfried) and became the musical director there in 1942.

His revival of Manon was highly praised – and representative of what Paris critics saw as a successful tenure at the Opéra-Comique; he also oversaw many all-Ravel evenings.

[1] Having made his debut with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra on 20 December 1942, he succeeded Charles Munch in 1949 as principal conductor, which post he held until 1960.

His death at the age of 62 occurred coincident with his reputation emerging not just primarily as a conductor of the French classics, but as an interpreter of the standard German/Austrian repertoire.

He recorded an extensive series of complete French operas with the forces of the Opéra-Comique and the Opéra National de Paris.

Many of his records, and some live performances, have since been re-issued on CD,[3][12] while film of him conducting Ravel and Tchaikovsky (with Emil Gilels) have been presented on DVD.