Košler, Zděnek (1928-1995)

Czech conductor. He studied in Prague and made his debut there at the National Theatre in 1951, conducting Il barbiere di Siviglia, and his debut in Vienna at the Staatsoper in 1965, conducting Salome. He won the 1963 Mitropoulos Competition and his appointments included assistant to Leonard Bernstein at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, 1963-64; artistic director of the Olomouc and Ostrava Operas, 1958-66; and music director of the Komische Oper Berlin, 1966-68. He conducted the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra 1971-80 and worked at the Prague National Theatre 1980-85, returning 1989-90. In 1990 he conducted Martinů's Greek Passion in Paris.