Happy Birthday Gustav -- We're Forever In Your Debt!

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Gustav Mahler: Legacy

In 1897, after months of intrigue and negotiation, during which Mahler converted to the Roman Catholic faith, he was installed as the Music Director of the Vienna Opera House. This was arguably the most prestigious job in the music world, at the end of the 19th century.

The Vienna Opera House photographed around 1890 Photo credit  Imagno_Getty

MTT is discovered in a lavish suite at the Bristol Hotel, where Mahler stayed for his first few months in Vienna: this was the HQ, from which he waged an almost military campaign, to lick the somewhat self-satisfied opera company (just across the street) into shape.

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Critics were divided in their opinions, in this profoundly political city: was Mahler too compulsive in his attention to detail? Too radical in his treatment of the musical repertoire? Too manic on the podium? The caricaturists had a field day, many of the orchestra objected, and several of the staff were summarily fired.