Udo Zimmermann

Full biography Udo Zimmermann

Udo Zimmermann was a renowned German composer, musicologist, conductor, and opera director. Born on October 6, 1943, in Dresden, Zimmermann studied composition with the famous German composer, Rudolf Wagner-Régeny, at the Hochschule für Musik "Carl Maria von Weber" in Dresden. Zimmermann later served as the director of the Hochschule für Musik Dresden from 1986 to 2000.

Zimmermann's compositions were widely acclaimed and marked his exceptional talent. He is well known for his operas, including "Der Schuhu und die fliegende Prinzessin," "Weisse Rose," and "Die Wände." He also composed symphonic works , choral music, and chamber music. One of his contemporaries, Friedrich Goldmann, was also one of Zimmermann's students.

Not only was Zimmermann an accomplished composer, but he was also a prominent conductor. He worked as the General Music Director of the German State Opera in Berlin from 1996 to 2002 and later served as the Artistic Director of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin from 2004 to 2006.

Zimmermann was widely recognized for his contributions to German music and was awarded several honors throughout his career. He was awarded the National Prize of the German Democratic Republic in 1988, the Saxon Medal for Artistic Merit in 1993, and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2003.

Udo Zimmermann passed away on January 22, 2021, at his home in Dresden. His remarkable compositions and contributions to German music will undoubtedly live on as a testament to his profound influence on the world of classical music.