Alfred Strombergs
Alfred Strombergs (Latvian: Alfrēds Štrombergs; 19 February 1922, in Liepāja – 22 February 2006, in Toronto[1]) was a Canadian conductor, music educator, and pianist of Latvian birth. In 1954 he became a naturalized Canadian citizen. As a conductor he is primarily remembered for his work with the Canadian Opera Company and the Stratford Festival from the late 1950s through the early 1970s. He also notably conducted the world premieres of several orchestral works by composer Tālivaldis Ķeniņš, including his fifth and seventh symphonies.[1]
As an academic Strombergs wrote and lectured about Canadian art song of the 18th and 19th centuries, and served as a voice teacher and director of opera theatre programs at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts (1948-1957), the University of Toronto (1960-1971), and the University of Alberta (1971-1987).
Education and career
From 1940-1943 Strombergs attended the
In 1949 Stromberg founded the Halifax Symphonette (later known as the Halifax Symphony Orchestra), serving as that symphony's first conductor through 1955. The symphonette was largely formed to be the orchestra for the newly formed Nova Scotia Opera Association and the Halifax Ballet Guild, both organizations for which Stromberg served as music director during his tenure with the Halifax Symphonette.[2]
In the summer of 1953 Stromberg studied conducting with Leonard Bernstein and Lukas Foss at the Tanglewood Music Center. The following Fall he matriculated to The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) where he became a composition student of Godfrey Ridout. He became an Associate of the RCM in 1958. In 1960 he became an Associate of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.[2]
In 1957 Strombergs relocated to Toronto to become a vocal coach and conductor for the
In 1971 Strombergs moved to Alberta to assume the post of opera conductor and voice teacher at the
After retiring from teaching in 1987, Strombergs lived in retirement in Toronto until his death in 2006.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e R. Dale McIntosh (June 17, 2007). "Alfred Strombergs". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^ a b c Elinor MacNiven (December 1966). "Profile: Alfred Strombergs". Opera Canada.