Tributes to a quietly effective conductor
RIPColleagues have been sharing impressions of Michael Boder, who died suddenly this week.
Kasper Holten, head of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen: ‘Very sad to hear of the sudden death of the fabulous conductor Michael Boder. I had the honor and pleasure to work with Michael many times, since we did Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre together at San Francisco Opera in 2004 all the way until he last did Katja Kabanova for us here in Copenhagen last season. He was a true master, especially when it came to the most complex and difficult pieces, and he was always a pleasure to spend time with, at work and off work.’
Conductor Graeme Jenkins: ‘ An incredibly generous colleague. His range of repertoire was incredible.’
Coductor Fabio Luisi: ‘A kind person and a serious, no-frills conductor.’
US mezzo-soprano Stephanie Houtzeel: Hard to process the loss of two marvelous musicians today. We lost both the wonderful conductor Michael Boder and the charismatic mezzo Claire Powell. I was lucky to have worked with both of them. I got to sing under Michael Boder’s steady, elegant hand in Medea, Elektra and Der Rosenkavalier in Vienna, Copenhagen and Graz. He shed light and clarity on even the most complicated of Reimann or Strauss passages. His clear eye and deep knowledge were always accompanied by personal warmth and patience. He will be very missed. And Claire, or “Clara” as those of us who knew her personally called her – was a force of nature: as a singer, in her larger-than-life personality, as a colleague. She was a central figure in our Graz Ensemble in the dynamic years lead by Karen Stone & Philippe Jordan (early 2000s). Both Michael and Claire had an enormous impact on me and so many others. We can be grateful that they crossed our paths. Rest in peace.
Romanian soprano Ruxana Donose: ‘Michael Boder. Great musician. And friend. Always curious, always creative. The first General Music Director who hired me, in Basel. The last Conductor I sang with, at the Wiener Staatsoper. I am shocked and speechless.’
Professor Hanno Brachmann: ‘I loved singing under Michael Boder. When I was a student he conducted the Ruth Berghaus production of „Don Carlos“ in Basel and @renepapebass sang his first Philipp II. I have been just a „deputato“ and learned a lot. Later we did the world premiere of „Faustus, the last night“ (I sang „Mephisto“ and @georg.nigl „Faust“) by @dusapin_pascal @staatsoperberlin. Michael Boder for me combined both, being a lovely human being and a great conductor. I will miss him.
Tenor John Daszak: So sad to hear about Michael Boder’s death. I always enjoyed working with him and I like to think we had a mutual respect and fun… He was always super reliable and engaged at the podium…
photo: Wiener Staatsoper
Sorry, but much as I appreciate ‘star’ testimonies, could they please just forget the ‘I’ and ‘me’ for a minute and just honour the departed? In a profession where pretty much everyone at a certain level has crossed paths, we don’t need potted CVs while the families of artists such as the exceptional Michael Boder are gathering to pay their last respects.
Cf: The comments by Fabio Luisi and Graeme Jenkins.
Speaking as one who does not know Michael Boder or his work, but actually does know both Maestros Jenkins and Luisi, their comments are useful to help me understand the shared loss of the music world. I must respectfully disagree with your position.