Sawallisch, Wolfgang (1923– )

German conductor and pianist. He was music director of the Bavarian Opera, Munich (1971–93), and of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pennsylvania (1993–2003).

He appeared at Bayreuth between 1957 and 1962 with Wagner's Tristan und Isolde/Tristan and Isolde, Der fliegende Holländer/The Flying Dutchman, and Tannhäuser. He made his Salzburg opera debut in 1964, with Verdi's Macbeth, and his US debut in 1964, with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. He was music director of the Bavarian Opera, Munich (1971–93), and chief conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1992. He appeared with the Suisse Romande Orchestra from 1970 until 1980. He was well known as a piano accompanist to leading singers. His recordings include Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten and Wagner's Ring cycle, on video.

He was born in Munich and studied at the Munich Hochschule für Musik with J Haas, making his debut in Augsburg in 1947. He remained in Augsburg until 1953, when he became music director at the opera in Aachen. From 1957 to 1959 he conducted at the Wiesbaden opera, and from 1959 to 1963 conducted in Cologne.