Jiří Bělohlávek

Jiří Bělohlávek (born 24 February 1946) is a Czech conductor. His father was a barrister and judge. In his youth Bělohlávek studied cello with Miloš Sádlo and was later a graduate of the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. After graduation he studied conducting, for two years, with Sergiu Celibidache. Bělohlávek won the Czech National Conducting Competition in 1970. He later served as an assistant conductor at the Czech Philharmonic for 2 years. From 1972 to 1978 he was associated with the Brno Philharmonic, taking it on tours of Austria, Germany and the United States. From 1977 to 1989, he was chief conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Bělohlávek became chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic in...