Pollack, Egon

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POLLACK, EGON

POLLACK, EGON (1879–1933), conductor. Born in Prague, Pollack was chorus master at the German Theater there and later held posts at Bremen, Leipzig, and Frankfurt. From 1917 to 1932 he was principal conductor of the Hamburg Opera, which developed considerably under his direction. He conducted in Chicago (1931–32) and appeared as guest conductor in Cairo. He died in Prague of a heart attack while conducting Fidelio. Pollack was especially known as an interpreter of Richard Strauss. He also conducted Wagnerian opera and promoted the work of contemporaries.