Known for his flamboyant and passionate style of conducting, Zubin Mehta, the Musical Director of the New York and the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestras has performed with orchestras all over the world. His operatic work has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, The Royal Opera House, Florence and Munich Festivals. His many honours include the Padma Bhushan, India's highest cultural award.
Background
Zubin Mehta was born in 1936 in Bombay and received his first musical education under his father’s Mehli Mehta’s guidance who was a noted concert violinist and the founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. Mehta initially intended to study medicine, but eventually became a music student in Vienna at the age of 18, under Hans Swarowsky. Zubin Mehta made his debut as an opera conductor with Tosca in Montreal in 1963. Mehta's first marriage was to canadian soprano Carmen Lasky in 1958. They have a son, Mervon and a daughter, Zarina. In 1964, they divorced. In July 1969, Mehta married Nancy Kovack, a former American film and television actress. Mehta, a permanent resident of the United States, retains his Indian citizenship.
Education
While in school that is located in Mumbai, India, Mehta was taught to play the piano by Joseph de Lima, who was his first piano teacher.
Mehta initially intended to study medicine, but eventually became a music student in Vienna.
Career
In 1977, he took the post of Music Director at the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra and subsequently became a Music Director for Life at the orchestra in 1981. In 1991 he left New York Philarmonic, becoming the longest holder of the Music Director post. Since 1985, Mehta has been chief conductor of the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence. Additionally, from 1998 until 2006, Mehta was Music Director of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. Since 2005, Mehta has been the main conductor of the Palau de les Arts. Mehta conducted the Vienna New Year's Concert in the years 1990, 1995, 1998 and 2007.Zubin Mehta has conducted nearly two thousand concert performances with this extraordinary ensemble on tours spanning five continents
Achievements
Membership
the association Amics de l’Òpera i de les Arts de la Comunitat Valenciana
Connections
Married 1st Carmen Lasky in 1958 (divorced). Married 2nd Nancy Diane Kovack in 1969.
This is a World Culture Prize in Memory of His Imperial Highness Prince Takamatsu
This is a World Culture Prize in Memory of His Imperial Highness Prince Takamatsu
Lifetime Achievement Peace and Tolerance
United Nations, 1999
United Nations, 1999
Second Annual Bridgebuilder Award
Loyola Marymount University, 2007
Loyola Marymount University, 2007
Dan David Prize
2007
2007
the Nikisch Ring
Conductor Karl Böhm awarded Mehta the Nikisch Ring – the Vienna Philharmonic Ring of Honor.
Conductor Karl Böhm awarded Mehta the Nikisch Ring – the Vienna Philharmonic Ring of Honor.
Honorary Conductor
this title was bestowed to him by the following orchestras: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (2001), Munich Philharmonic Orchestra (2004), Los Angeles Philharmonic (2006), Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (2006), Bavarian State Orchestra (2006). In addition to being Honorary Conductor of five major orchestras, he has also been named Honorary Citizen of Florence, Italy, and Tel Aviv, Israel.
this title was bestowed to him by the following orchestras: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (2001), Munich Philharmonic Orchestra (2004), Los Angeles Philharmonic (2006), Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (2006), Bavarian State Orchestra (2006). In addition to being Honorary Conductor of five major orchestras, he has also been named Honorary Citizen of Florence, Italy, and Tel Aviv, Israel.