Nicholas Goldschmidt
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Goldschmidt, was a Canadian conductor
, administrator, teacher, performer, music festival entrepreneur and artistic director. He was the grand-nephew of famed composer Adalbert von Goldschmidt
(1848-1906).
In 1937, Goldschmidt emigrated to the USA, where he served as director of opera at the San Francisco Conservatory and Stanford University from 1938 to 1942. He was director of the opera department at Columbia University from 1942 to 1944. He subsequently moved to Toronto, where he served as the first music director of the Royal Conservatory Opera School (University of Toronto Opera Division) from 1946 to 1957. In 1950, Goldschmidt, Arnold Walter and Herman Geiger-Torel helped to found the Royal Conservatory Opera Company, which later became the Canadian Opera Company
. From 1949 to 1957, Goldschmidt was the first music director of the CBC Opera.
In 1978, Goldschmidt was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
, and was promoted to Companion in 1989.
Goldschmidt married Shelagh Fraser on 26 June 1948.
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, administrator, teacher, performer, music festival entrepreneur and artistic director. He was the grand-nephew of famed composer Adalbert von Goldschmidt
Adalbert von Goldschmidt
Adalbert von Goldschmidt was an Austrian composer. Trained at the Vienna Conservatory, he first drew wide acclaim for his 1875 cantata Die sieben Todsünden. He created a trilogy of operas; the first of which, Helianthus, premiered successfully in Leipzig in 1884. He also composed numerous songs...
(1848-1906).
In 1937, Goldschmidt emigrated to the USA, where he served as director of opera at the San Francisco Conservatory and Stanford University from 1938 to 1942. He was director of the opera department at Columbia University from 1942 to 1944. He subsequently moved to Toronto, where he served as the first music director of the Royal Conservatory Opera School (University of Toronto Opera Division) from 1946 to 1957. In 1950, Goldschmidt, Arnold Walter and Herman Geiger-Torel helped to found the Royal Conservatory Opera Company, which later became the Canadian Opera Company
Canadian Opera Company
The Canadian Opera Company is an opera company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest opera company in Canada and the third largest producer of opera in North America. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.-History:For 40 years until...
. From 1949 to 1957, Goldschmidt was the first music director of the CBC Opera.
In 1978, Goldschmidt was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, and was promoted to Companion in 1989.
Goldschmidt married Shelagh Fraser on 26 June 1948.