Semkow, Jerzy (1928– )

Polish conductor. He studied in Kraków, and in 1950 was assistant to Mravinsky at the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. He worked at the Bolshoi Theatre and had further study with Kleiber, Walter, and Serafin. He was principal conductor with the Warsaw Opera (1959–62) and Copenhagen (1966–76). He made his US debut in 1968, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and has returned to the USA to perform with all the leading orchestras. His London debut was made in 1968, and in 1970 he conducted Don Giovanni at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He was music director of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra (1976–79), and principal conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, New York (1985–89). He was well known in Romantic and modern repertory. His recordings include Boris Godunov and Prince Igor.