Biography
Ondrej Lenárd first reached Western audiences through an extensive catalog of recordings issued on the Marco Polo and Naxos imprints, among them numerous releases centered on the works of Johann Strauss II. One of these projects captured Havergal Brian’s monumental Gothic Symphony, giving listeners their initial opportunity to experience the score. Subsequent international engagements earned him particular acclaim in Vienna and throughout the Far East.
While completing studies at Bratislava’s Academy of Fine Arts, he served as chorus master of the Bratislava Opera Chorus. His graduation appearance with the Slovak Philharmonic marked the start of a sustained collaboration with that ensemble. In 1964 he became official chorus master at the Slovak National Theatre; five years later he assumed the principal conductorship of Bratislava’s Czechoslovak Radio Symphony, an affiliation that produced decades of touring and recording activity. Appearances in the Far East resulted in his 1978 designation as standing guest conductor of Tokyo’s Japan Shinsei Symphony Orchestra.
A further high-profile appointment in 1984 installed him as principal conductor of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava, and at the turn of the millennium he was named general manager of the company. During his lengthy tenure he guided the careers of tenor Peter Dvorský, bass Sergej Kopcák, and dramatic soprano Eva Urbanová. Parallel associations developed with the Vienna Staatsoper, Naples’ Teatro San Carlo, and the Houston Grand Opera, while guest engagements across numerous European cities, Brazil, Canada, and additional American venues reinforced his standing for authoritative work in both opera and concert settings.
Named principal conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic in 1991, Lenárd has directed the orchestra in its regular subscription series as well as festival programs. These have included acclaimed accounts of Verdi’s Manzoni Requiem at the 1993 Smetanova Litomyšl Festival, an especially praised reading of Smetana’s Vltava in 1995, and a notably commended performance of Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher in 1999.
While completing studies at Bratislava’s Academy of Fine Arts, he served as chorus master of the Bratislava Opera Chorus. His graduation appearance with the Slovak Philharmonic marked the start of a sustained collaboration with that ensemble. In 1964 he became official chorus master at the Slovak National Theatre; five years later he assumed the principal conductorship of Bratislava’s Czechoslovak Radio Symphony, an affiliation that produced decades of touring and recording activity. Appearances in the Far East resulted in his 1978 designation as standing guest conductor of Tokyo’s Japan Shinsei Symphony Orchestra.
A further high-profile appointment in 1984 installed him as principal conductor of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava, and at the turn of the millennium he was named general manager of the company. During his lengthy tenure he guided the careers of tenor Peter Dvorský, bass Sergej Kopcák, and dramatic soprano Eva Urbanová. Parallel associations developed with the Vienna Staatsoper, Naples’ Teatro San Carlo, and the Houston Grand Opera, while guest engagements across numerous European cities, Brazil, Canada, and additional American venues reinforced his standing for authoritative work in both opera and concert settings.
Named principal conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic in 1991, Lenárd has directed the orchestra in its regular subscription series as well as festival programs. These have included acclaimed accounts of Verdi’s Manzoni Requiem at the 1993 Smetanova Litomyšl Festival, an especially praised reading of Smetana’s Vltava in 1995, and a notably commended performance of Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher in 1999.
Albums
