Mourning for the former artistic director Gerd Uecker

The Saxon State Opera in Dresden is mourning the loss of its former artistic director Gerd Uecker. The Munich-born director died on Wednesday at the age of 77, the Semperoper announced on Friday evening, citing the music teacher's family. "I knew and appreciated Professor Gerd Uecker as a wonderful artistic colleague and extraordinary predecessor in my current position, who knew how to shape the house significantly even in difficult times," emphasized Semperoper director Peter Theiler.

Chief conductor Christian Thielemann also remembered him: "I knew Gerd Uecker for many years and had a lot of contact with him during my time in Munich. I had a great understanding with him and held him in high esteem as a person and artist." The Semperoper now plans to dedicate a performance of the Wagner opera "Tristan und Isolde" on February 3 to its former artistic director.

Uecker was opera director of the Bavarian State Opera from 1993 to 2000. He took up his post as Dresden Artistic Director in 2003 and headed the opera house on the Elbe until 2010. Under Uecker's leadership, the Semperoper found stability and international artistic excellence despite the difficult time in the aftermath of the flood disaster of 2002 and the economic consolidation, the statement said. Uecker had cultivated the work of composer Richard Strauss, who was closely associated with Dresden, but had also staged internationally acclaimed world premieres of contemporary operas.

"During his directorship in Dresden, his chairmanship of the German-speaking Opera Conference from 2005 to 2010 deserves special mention," the Semperoper added. In addition, it was Uecker's concern to pass on his profound knowledge and diverse experience to the following generations. Numerous jury and advisory board activities as well as the acceptance of various teaching assignments and master classes at home and abroad would have testified to his enormous commitment to the young generation of artists.