Biography

Alfred Walter, a Bohemian-Austrian conductor, was born on May 8, 1929, in Volary and passed away on March 7, 2004, in Brussels. Born to Austrian parents in Southern Bohemia, he pursued his studies at the University of Graz. In 1948, he was appointed as the assistant conductor to the Opera of Ravensburg. Subsequently, he became the conductor of the Graz Opera and held this position until 1965. During this time, he also worked as an assistant to Hans Knappertsbusch and Karl Böhm at Bayreuth. From 1966 to 1969, Walter served as the principal conductor of the Durban Symphony Orchestra in South Africa. Following this, he spent fifteen years as the General Director of Music in Münster. In Vienna, he worked as a guest conductor at the State Opera. In recognition of his contributions, Walter received the Golden Medal of the International Gustav Mahler Society in 1980. The Austrian government also honored him with the title of Professor in 1986. Notably, Walter has recorded numerous works by composers such as Johann Strauss II for Naxos Records.