PSO patron

International conductor Myer Fredman began his conducting career in England in 1952, after earlier studies in harmony, counterpoint and orchestration, keyboard and viola. He studied with and assisted several legendary conductors such as Sir Adrian Boult and Otto Klemperer, and assisted Sir Charles Mackerras on BBC television operas (Carmen and La Traviata) and Otto Klemperer when he recorded Così fan tutte.

From 1959 to 1974 he worked at Glyndebourne, initially as Chorus Master, then Conductor and finally as First Conductor & Head of Music Staff. He was instrumental in the formation of Glyndebourne Touring Opera (now Glyndebourne on Tour) and became its initial Music Director concurrent with conducting engagements in Ireland, Belgium, France, Poland, Romania, Germany, Scandinavia and Canada. In 1970 he was awarded a medal Per Servizio della Musica e Cultura Italiana.

During that same period Myer's recordings included Inscape by Edmund Rubbra, coupled with the Elegie and Concerto for Strings by Robert Still for Decca. For Lyrita he recorded Rubbra's Symphony No. 4 and works by Arthur Benjamin and Delius, followed by the world premiere recordings of Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 by Arnold Bax, Symphonies Nos. 6 and 16 by Havergal Brian. Several of these recordings have now been re-released on CD.

Moving to Australia in 1974, Myer made his Australian debut conducting the Australian Opera (now Opera Australia) before becoming the first Music Director of the New Opera Company in Adelaide. After that company became the State Opera of South Australia, he conducted Australian premieres of Tippett’s Midsummer Marriage (in the presence of the composer), and Britten’s Death in Venice at consecutive Adelaide Festivals.

From 1980 to 2000 he was Head of the Opera School at the Sydney Conservatorium and regularly conducted the six Australian symphony orchestras in concerts and recordings, as well as the Australian Opera and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. International invitations have taken him to England, Canada, America, Argentina and Uruguay and, for a number of years he was Artistic Director of a Summer School in Salt Lake City.

Myer has also served as an Artistic Mentor for the reconstituted Youth Symphony Tasmania

Myer has also served as an Artistic Mentor for the reconstituted Youth Symphony Tasmania program and works as a coach with singers, youth orchestras and aspiring young conductors.

For more information see Myer Fredman's web page.