Leinsdorf, Erich (1912–1993)

Austrian-born US conductor. He was music director with the Boston Symphony Orchestra 1962–69, and principal conductor with the West Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra 1977–80.

Leinsdorf studied with Paul Emerich and Hedwig Kammer-Rosenthal at the Vienna Gymnasium. In 1934 he became assistant to Bruno Walter and Arturo Toscanini at the Salzburg Festival and later appeared as a conductor in Italy, France, and Belgium. In 1938 he was engaged as an assistant conductor at the New York Metropolitan Opera, making his debut with Die Walküre, and becoming chief conductor 1939–43. He served in the US Army from 1944 and returned to the New York Metropolitan Opera 1958–62.