Austrian-Hungarian conductor collapsed and died in Munich on Friday night during the presentation of Die schweigsame frau.
Anna Tomova Sintov
I deeply regret the sad news of the loss of Stefan Soltesz. Artistically linked with him from a very young age, when he was still an assistant to Karl Böhm and Mr. von Karajan, I later experienced many joint performances with him as a director, especially in works by Richard Strauss. I remember him as a unique musician and a master at the desk! With pain in my heart, my deepest condolences also to his family!
Director Barry Kosky:
I am deeply saddened by the sudden death of my friend and fellow artist Stefan Soltész. During the 10 years of my tenure, Stefan gave numerous wonderful and exciting performances at the Komische Opera Berlin.
Whether Schreker, Offenbach, Kalmán, Mozart, Johann or Richard Strauss, Stefan has always approached various repertoires with intelligence, musicality and a unique theatrical flair.
He loved singers, he loved the art of opera, and he pushed the boundaries of musical theater.
I am fortunate to have taken four productions on stage with him at the Aalto Theater in Essen during his remarkable tenure. Our production of “Tristan and Isolde” is to this day one of my most beautiful theatrical experiences.
But Stefan was not only a great musician, but also a person with a sense of humor and biting humor.
I will not only miss him as a passionate director, but also his contagious and lethargic laugh.
Rest in peace friend we will miss you.
Director Sascha Goetzel
It is with deep sadness that I learn of the passing of my dear colleague and friend Stefan Soltesz, one of the last true Masters of the “German Fach”…. last night in Munich.
Andreas Schagerl
A great director walks off the stage! I still remember our Rienzi at the Rome Opera and the Egyptian Helena at the Frankfurt Opera. Soltesz was a great director, especially for the two “Richards”, that is, Wagner and Strauss. If something went against his musical intentions, he could get loud, but he always went for the best possible quality.
Rest in peace! My sincerest condolences to his wife Michaela Selinger.
samuel ramey
He played for me when I auditioned for von Karajan in Salzburg.
The Vienna Boys’ Choir
We mourn Stefan Soltész: he was already a legend as a singer when he replaced the seasick Kapellmeister on a crossing to New York. We had the pleasure of singing the three boys on the “magic flute” several times under his baton at the Vienna State Opera.
Mara Zampieri
Dear Stefan, I never expected to read what happened last night.
I like it Bepi Sinopoli, Giuseppe Patane’ and Marcello Viotti You left this world dying on the podium.
Thanks to you, your enthusiasm, your open-mindedness, I was able to debut Salomé in Germany, for me you were even after “my Master for Salomé”.
So much music together with Norma, Manon Lescaut, Trovatore and so many others, we resembled each other by nonconformity and originality always united by the constant desire to deepen, our laughs unforgettable, you with those ingenious eyes with the lightness and sympathy of few. .
I want to remember you like this, my friend, although this news upsets me deeply.
Cellist Johannes Krebs:
I remember many opera performances and concerts in Hamburg and Bremen. In my first year at the Hamburg State Opera, he arrived in the orchestra pit an hour before the start of the performance, where I practiced diligently. He gave the new guy a stern look and asked “do you know this opera?” Of course I was playing it (I think it was Falstaff) for the first time and he knew it. I told him I’ve been playing it for 30 years, but that I could not speak for my companions.” The answer pleased him very much.
Mariana Zvetkova
RIP Master Soltesz!
One of the best directors I’ve ever worked with! A month ago I was very happy to see him conducting “Parsifal” at the National Opera in Sofia, and our conversation brought back great memories of our work together in Brussels and at the Aalto Theater in Essen.