Sir Charles Mackerras CH AC CBE

Sir Charles Mackerras is Conductor Laureate of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Conductor Emeritus of the Welsh National Opera, Principal Guest Conductor Emeritus of the San Francisco Opera, Conductor Emeritus of the OAE and Principal Guest Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. A specialist in Czech repertory, Sir Charles was Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra from 1997 - 2003, following his life-long association with both the Orchestra and many aspects of Czech musical life. He regularly conducts at the major opera houses and has built up a particularly close relationship with The Royal Opera House, The Metropolitan Opera, Welsh National Opera and San Francisco Opera. He celebrated his his 80th birthday and his 50th anniversary with the Royal Opera House in 2005, conducting 'Un Ballo in Maschera'. He marked his 55th year at the Edinburgh Festival in 2006 conducting the complete Beethoven Symphonies. His recordings of the Mozart, Brahms, Mahler and Beethoven symphonies as well as the Mozart operas continue to attract critical acclaim and his vast discography includes an award-winning cycle of Janacek operas with the Vienna Philharmonic. Sir Charles was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1974 and in 1979 was knighted for his services to music. In 1996 he received The Medal of Merit from the Czech Republic and in 1997 he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia. In 2003 Sir Charles was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's Birthday Honours. In 2005 he was presented with the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal and he was also the first recipient of the Queen’s Medal for Music.

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