Herbert Gietzen, born in 1947 in Koblenz (Germany), went to Berlin to study musicology with Carl Dahlhaus, composition with Frank Michael Beyer and conducting with Herbert Ahlendorf.
He periodically attended the rehearsals of Herbert von Karajan in Berlin and Salzburg and took part in the International Course of Conducting in Hilversum with Franco Ferrara.
Even though he had no practical experience in conducting, he won a national competition for young conductors in Hannover. Later on he became the first Germanborn prizewinner in the International Competition of Herbert von Karajan in Berlin (Photos).
Since then, his numerous national and international credits include:
He was asked by Gian Carlo Menotti to supervise the European premiere of his opera »Juana la Loca« and was invited by him repeatedly for guestappearances at his »Festival of Two Worlds«, both in Spoleto (Italy) and Charleston (U.S.A.).
After decades of activity as „Erster Kapellmeister“ and Substitute Music Director at the Giessen Opera he was appointed Music Director for the season 2011/12. When he retired in 2012 he was named Honorary Member of the Giessen Opera.
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