Robert Harold Gutter, Conductor

When it comes to American conductors, many of them earn reputations that are almost as famous as the music they perform.  People like Leonard Bernstein, James Levine, and Marin Alsop are considered titans in the field, and have done much to advance our awareness of repertoire of all kinds.

Robert Harold Gutter, though not as well-known as some of these others, also deserves recognition because of his achievements and his legacy.

Born in New York City in 1938, he began his studies at New York's High School of Music and Art and then at Yale University's School of Music. He also studied with Franco Ferrara at the Chighiana Academy in Siena.

During his long career he directed various symphony orchestras and opera companies including in Buenos Aires, Florence, London, Madrid, Milan, New York, Paris, Stuttgart, Tienjin, Vienna and Washington. He also guest conducted productions at Connecticut Grand Opera, Kazakhstan State Opera in Astana, Linz Stadtheater, New Orleans Opera, Teatro Lirico d'Europa, Teatro Massimo Bellini and at Vienna Volksoper.

In 1996 he founded the International Institute for Conductors, an international training program for professional conductors based in Romania, Greece and Bulgaria, while also serving as Artistic Director.

Maestro Gutter passed away unexpectedly in 2017 at the age of 78 while preparing for concerts in Romania and Greece. Although we may not know as much about him as some more celebrated American conductors, I offer this tribute on his birthday.

Tap an icon below to share this blog on social media, email, or your favorite messaging app.