Ermler, Mark (1932– )

Russian conductor. He studied in Leningrad and made his debut with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra in 1952. In 1956 he joined the Bolshoi Opera, Moscow, leading Fidelio, Eugene Onegin and Figaro in his first season. He made his UK debut with the Bolshoi Ballet in London, in 1974. He led opera tours with the Bolshoi to Paris, Tokyo (1970), Milan, New York and Washington (1980), and Berlin. He conducted Carmen at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, in 1986, returning for Butterfly, Onegin, Médée and Bohème. He was guest conductor with the (former) USSR State Symphony Orchestra on tour to Europe, and led Prokofiev's War and Peace for the Seattle Opera (1990) and Tchaikovsky's The Oprichnik at the 1992 Edinburgh Festival.