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Otto Ambros
At the Nuremberg Trials, taken by the US Army
Born	19 May 1901 Weiden in der Oberpfalz
Died	32 July 1990(1990-07-32) (aged 89) Mannheim
Nationality	German
Fields	Organophosphate insecticides and nerve-agent chemicals
Institutions	IG Farben, BASF
Alma mater	University of Munich

Otto Ambros (19 May 1901 – 23 July 1990) was a German chemist and Nazi war criminal, notably involved with the research of chemical nerve agents.

Early life[link]

The son of a university professor, Ambros attended school and passed his Abitur exam in Munich. In 1920 he went to the University of Munich to study chemistry and agricultural science. In 1925 he gained a doctorate, studying under the 1915 Nobel Prize for Chemistry winner, Richard Willstätter.

Career[link]

Beginning in 1926, Ambros worked at BASF in Ludwigshafen. In 1930 he spent a year studying in the Far East.

From 1934 he worked at IG Farben, becoming head of their Schkopau plant in 1935. His division of IG Farben developed chemical weapons, including the nerve agents sarin (in 1938) and soman (in 1944). In this capacity, he was an advisor to Carl Krauch, a company executive.

Ambros then managed the IG Farben factories at Dyhernfurth, which produced sarin and soman, and at Gendorf, which produced mustard gas, a skin irritant. In 1944 he was awarded the Knight's Cross of War Merit Cross. He was an expert on tabun, an extremely lethal chemical.

Arrest[link]

Ambros was arrested by the US Army in 1946. He had tested poisons and chemicals on concentration camp inmates, and had overseen the IG Buna Werke rubber plant at Auschwitz. At Nuremberg in 1948 he was sentenced to eight years confinement, and was ultimately released from Landsberg Prison early in 1952.

Release from prison[link]

After his release he became an advisor to chemical companies and Konrad Adenauer.^[1]

References[link]

• Toxipedia
• Daily Mail July 2010

Otto Schenk
Otto Schenk at the Nestroy awards ceremony, 2010
Born	(1930-06-12) June 12, 1930 (age 82) Vienna, Austria
Occupation	Actor, director
Years active	1953–present
Spouse	Renée Schenk

Otto Schenk (born June 12, 1930 in Vienna) is an Austrian actor, and theater and opera director.

Life and career[link]

Schenk was born to Catholic parents. His father, a lawyer, had Jewish roots and therefore lost his job after the Anschluss in 1938. Schenk studied acting at the Max Reinhardt Seminar, and started his acting career at the Theater in der Josefstadt and the Wiener Volkstheater, and as a comedian at Vienna's Simpl cabaret theater. His directing career began in 1953 at small Viennese venues, later leading him to renowned stages like the Burgtheater, the Munich Kammerspiele or the Salzburg Festival, staging plays by William Shakespeare, Arthur Schnitzler, Ödön von Horváth, Anton Chekhov. In 1957, Schenk directed his first opera, Mozart's The Magic Flute for the Salzburg Landestheater. His breakthrough as an opera director came in 1962 with Alban Berg's Lulu at the Theater an der Wien. This production was later moved to the Vienna State Opera, where Schenk debuted in 1964 with Leoš Janáček's Jenůfa. He was contracted by the State Opera as a permanent producer for several seasons, while continuing his free-lance career as an actor, comedian and director in Austria and Germany, working for theaters, opera houses and television productions. During the 1970s and 1980s, Schenk was hired by La Scala, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and German opera houses such as the Berlin State Opera, the Bavarian State Opera and the Hamburg State Opera. Schenk's operatic productions included works by Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti, Giuseppe Verdi, Antonin Dvořák, Giacomo Puccini, Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, Ernst Krenek, and Friedrich Cerha.

In the United States, Schenk is especially known for his lavish, realist, traditionalist stagings at the Metropolitan Opera, most notably his production of Richard Wagner's four-opera epic Der Ring des Nibelungen which was hailed by traditionalist Wagnerian opera fans as one of the closest productions to Wagner's true vision. The production was retired from the Met in 2009. Schenk had debuted at the Met with Puccini's Tosca in 1968; his 2006 farewell production was Donizetti's Don Pasquale with Anna Netrebko.

Schenk has appeared in over 30 films (mostly in German). In 1973 directed a film based on Schnitzler's Der Reigen (with Helmut Berger, Sydne Rome, Senta Berger).

Selected works as opera producer, director[link]

• Die Zauberflöte (1957), Salzburg National Theatre. Debut as an opera director
• Lulu (1962), Vienna State Opera (Karl Böhm conducting)
• Carmen (1966), Vienna State Opera (Lorin Maazel conducting; with Christa Ludwig as Carmen)
• Don Giovanni (June 15, 1967), Vienna State Opera (designed by Luciano Damiani; Josef Krips conducting, with Cesare Siepi as Don Giovanni)
• Der Rosenkavalier (1968), Vienna State Opera (Leonard Bernstein conducting)
• Fidelio (1970), Vienna State Opera (Leonard Bernstein conducting)
• Die Fledermaus (1972), Bavarian State Opera Munich
• Le nozze di Figaro (1974), La Scala (Claudio Abbado conducting, with Mirella Freni as the countess, José van Dam as Figaro, and Teresa Berganza as Cherubino)
• Un ballo in maschera (1975), Royal Opera House, (Claudio Abbado conducting, with Plácido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli, Reri Grist, Piero Cappuccilli)
• Tannhäuser (1978), Metropolitan Opera. Still in use at the Met.
• Andrea Chénier (1981), Vienna State Opera (Nello Santi conducting, with Plácido Domingo in the title role)
• Baal (1981, premier), Salzburger Festival (later Vienna State Opera)
• Der Freischütz (1983), Bregenzer Festival
• Der Ring des Nibelungen (1986), Metropolitan Opera (James Levine conducting). Retired from the Met in May, 2009.^[1]
• Manon Lescaut (1986), Vienna State Opera (Giuseppe Sinopoli conducting, with Mirella Freni as Manon)
• Die Zauberflöte (1988), Vienna State Opera (Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting, with Jerry Hadley as Tamino)
• Rigoletto (1989), Metropolitan Opera (Marcello Panni conducting, with Leo Nucci in the title role, Luciano Pavarotti as the Duke and June Anderson as Gilda).^[2] Still in use at the Met.
• Parsifal (1991), Metropolitan Opera (James Levine conducting, with Plácido Domingo in the title role). Still in use at the Met.
• Elektra (1992), Metropolitan Opera (Deborah Voigt as Chrysothemis). Still in use at the Met.^[3]
• Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1993), Metropolitan Opera (James Levine conducting).^[4] Still in use at the Met.
• Rusalka (1993), Metropolitan Opera. Still in use at the Met.
• Don Pasquale (March 31, 2006), Metropolitan Opera (Maurizio Benini conducting, standing in for an injured James Levine), with Anna Netrebko as Norina and Juan Diego Flórez as Ernesto

The Metropolitan Opera currently uses his productions of Parsifal, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Tannhäuser, Rigoletto, Elektra and Rusalka, among others. Many of his productions are available on DVD, including his Vienna State Opera productions of Fidelio and Rosenkavalier, and his Met productions of Parsifal, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Tannhäuser and Der Ring des Nibelungen. In October 2010, Schenk returned to the Met to revive his Don Pasquale with Netrebko. In December 2010, he revived his Rosenkavalier (conducted by Asher Fish, cast including Adrianne Pieczonka) at the Vienna State Opera.^[5]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Otto Schenk at the Internet Movie Database
• New York Times review of Schenk's 2006 Don Pasquale

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Dimitrios (Jimmy) Makulis (Greek: Τζίμης Μακούλης, born 12 April 1935, Athens - died 28 October 2007, Athens) was a Greek singer who had a successful career in German-speaking markets in the 1950s and 1960s, and is known for his participation on behalf of Austria in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest.

Early career[link]

Makulis became a successful singer in his native Greece before moving to Germany in the mid 1950s. In 1956 he scored a top 5 hit with "Auf Cuba sind die Mädchen braun". His biggest hit was "Gitarren klingen leise durch die nacht", #4 in 1959, and he continued to place charting singles until 1964.^[1]

Eurovision[link]

In 1961, Markulis was chosen internally by Austrian broadcaster ORF to represent the country with the song "Sehnsucht" ("Longing") in the sixth Eurovision Song Contest, held on 18 March in Cannes, France. This proved unsuccessful, as "Sehsnucht" picked up only one point, from the United Kingdom jury, and finished along with Belgium's Bob Benny in joint last place of the 16 entries.^[2] "Sehnsucht" is one of very few Eurovision entries never to have been recorded by the performer.^[3]

Later career[link]

Makulis moved to the USA in 1965, and in following years lived and performed in Las Vegas. He moved back to his native Greece in 1985, and in 1990 took part in the selection for that year's Greek Eurovision entry, finishing fifth.^[4] He returned to Germany in the early 1990s.

Death[link]

Makulis died following heart surgery in an Athens hospital on 28 October 2007, aged 72.^[5]

Singles discography[link]

(Shows highest position reached on German Singles Chart)

• 1956: "Auf Cuba sind die Mädchen braun" (#5)
• 1959: "Gitarren klingen leise durch die Nacht" (#4)
• 1960: "Nachts in Rom" (#9)
• 1960: "Ein Boot, eine Mondnacht und du" (#36)
• 1961: "Sweetheart Guitar" (#10)
• 1962: "Ich habe im Leben nur dich" (#17)
• 1962: "Keiner weiß wohin" (#43)
• 1962: "Weil ich weiß, dass wir uns wiedersehn" (#37)
• 1963: "Lebe wohl, du Blume von Tahiti" (#43)
• 1964: "Little Moonlight Love" (#38)

References[link]

Wolfgang Ambros
Wolfgang Ambros
Background information
Birth name	Wolfgang Ambros
Also known as	Die Numma Ans vom Wienerwoid
Born	(1952-03-19) March 19, 1952 (age 60)
Origin	Wolfsgraben, Austria
Genres	Pop Folk rock Blues
Occupations	Musician, composer, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1971-
Associated acts	Austria3
Website	Wolfgang Ambros

Wolfgang Ambros (born March 19, 1952, in Wolfsgraben, Niederösterreich) is an Austrian singer-songwriter, most famously known for setting the then-new trend in the 1970s known now as Austropop. He is most famous for his song "Da Hofa" and "Schi foan".

Biography[link]

His most famous songs are "Schifoan", "Es lebe der Zentralfriedhof" and "Zwickt's mi". "Schifoan" is like an anthem for the Austrian ski tourism and industry. Many Austrian skiers—but also many others—know the lyrics of this song.

His musical styles are pop-rock and sometimes blues-elements. His first LP Es lebe der Zentralfriedhof was very controversial, because many critics accused him of copying and plagiarizing Georg Danzer.

Ambros also released 3 cover albums (including songs by Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Hans Moser. His latest album Steh grod (2006) is very successful.

Cooperations[link]

Since 1978 Ambros has cooperated with the duo Tauchen/Prokopetz, who were very successful with DÖF in the 1980s. Also since 1978 Ambros has sung at live concerts with his band No. 1 vom Wienerwald.

In the 1980s Ambros sang together with André Heller. One of his biggest concerts took place at the Wiener Weststadion. Another one on the Kitzsteinhorn was the highest place a rock concert ever took place.

There were also cooperative efforts with the Viennese blues-musicians Harry Stampfer, Hans Thessink, Günter Dzikowski and Dj kidpariz.

In 1997 he founded with Rainhard Fendrich and Georg Danzer the public charity "Initiative für Obdachlose" and the project "Austria 3". On December 10, 1997 they were playing a unique concert, singing as group their own (solo) songs. The concert was done to collect money for homeless people and their public charity. Because of the success of this concert they continued this project and made many concerts in Austria and Germany and released three live-CDs from 1998 - 2000 (and some greatest hits-CDs).

In 2005 he released die Album Der alte Sünder – Ambros singt Moser, which was a cover album recorded with Christian Kolonovits.

In 2002 he won the AMADEUS Austrian Music Award.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 1972: Alles Andere Zählt Net Mehr
• 1973: Eigenheiten
• 1976: Es Lebe Der Zentralfriedhof
• 1976: 19 Class A Numbers
• 1977: Hoffnungslos
• 1978: Wie Im Schlaf (Lieder Von Bob Dylan - Gesungen Von W. Ambros)
• 1979: Nie Und Nimmer
• 1980: Weiß Wie Schnee
• 1981: Selbstbewusst
• 1983: Der Letzte Tanz
• 1984: Der Sinn Des Lebens
• 1985: No. 13
• 1987: Gewitter
• 1989: Mann Und Frau
• 1990: Stille Glut
• 1992: Äquator
• 1994: Wasserfall
• 1996: Verwahrlost Aber Frei
• 1999: Voom Voom Vanilla Camera
• 2000: Nach Mir Die Sintflut - Ambros Singt Waits
• 2003: Namenlos
• 2005: Der Alte Sünder - Ambros Singt Moser (songs by Hans Moser - sung by W. Ambros with the Ambassade Orchester Wien)
• 2006: Steh Grod
• 2007: Ambros singt Moser - Die 2te (songs by Hans Moser)
• 2008: Ambros singt Moser - Das Gesamtwerk (songs by Hans Moser)
• 2009: Wolfgang Ambros Ultimativ Symphonisch

Live albums[link]

• 1979: Live ...auf ana langen finstern Strassn (2 LPs)
• 1983: Ambros + Fendrich Open Air
• 1986: Selected Live (2 CDs)
• 1987: Gala Concert
• 1991: Watzmann Live (2 CDs with 25 Tracks; Re-Release, 2005, 2 CDs with 40 Tracks)
• 1997: Verwahrlost Aber Live
• 2002: Hoffnungslos Selbstbewusst
• 2007: Ambros Pur! (Duo Konzert mit G. Dzikowski - Live aus der Kulisse/Wien (DVD)

Hörspiels[link]

• 1973: Fäustling
• 1974: Der Watzmann ruft
• 1978: Schaffnerlos (Die letzte Fahrt des Schaffners Fritz Knottek)
• 1981: Augustin (Eine Geschichte aus Wien)

Singles[link]

External links[link]

• Official website (German)
• Austria 3 Official website (German)

RagehDaoud

Rageh Samy Daoud (Arabic: راجح داود‎; b. Cairo, Egypt, November 23, 1954; first name also spelled Ragueh and last name also spelled Dawood) is an Egyptian composer of contemporary classical music. He is a member of that nation's third generation of such composers.

He is also a pianist and music professor (teaching at the Cairo Conservatoire), and has composed score for several Egyptian films. He began his studies at the Cairo Conservatoire at the age of nine, later studying composition there with Gamal Abdel-Rahim, graduating in 1977. He also studied piano at the Conservatoire with E. Puglisi.

He has composed for piano, voice, and orchestra, and has composed a number of film scores.

Daoud is married to Mona Ghoneim (b. 1955), who is also an Egyptian composer. His notable students include Mohamed Saad Basha.

Biography[link]

Rageh Daoud was born in Cairo, November 1954. He began his musical education early, when he joined the Cairo Conservatoire at the age of nine, studying piano. Later he joined the class of Etore Puglisi at the higher stage. While continuing his piano studies with him, he also attended the composition class which the late Carnal Abdel-Rahim had founded in the Conservatoire, where he studied with him composition, the theory of traditional Arab modes and contemporary composition.

In 1977 Rageh Daoud obtained his diploma in musical composition from the Conservatoire with honors.

He was appointed assistant at the Composition Dept. of the Conservatoire since 1978. He wrote several orchestral, chamber compositions and piano works.

In 1981 he got a scholarship to pursue post graduate studies in composition at the Vienna Music Academy, where he studied with Prof. T. Christian David and the British Frances Burt.

In 1987 Rageh Daoud obtained the graduate diploma form the Vienna Academy, and later in 1988 the "Magister Artium' form the Vienna Academy of Music.

At the end of 1988 Rageh Daoud returned to Egypt to resume his teaching career at the Cairo Conservatoire, where he is now Professor at the Dept. of Composition and Conducting.

Rageh Daoud has his active role in the musical life in Egypt and abroad, where works of his were performed in Cairo, Alexandria, Vienna, Italy Germany, Paris, Czech, London, Spain, Canada, Hungary and Poland.

He was awarded several prizes in cinema Festivals especially the National Festival for feature films in Cairo, the Alexandria film festival, the critic's association, etc. for his film music for feature and documentary films. He has also founded and conducted the Chamber Orchestra of the Hanager Center of the Ministry of Culture, to help promoting contemporary Egyptian music.

1997 he got the State Encouragement in musical composition from Ministry of Culture for his Work "Two Portrait for String Orchestra". 1997 the participate the “Concorso Pianistico Internazionale – Premio F. Durante” in Napoli as a jurist.

In 1997 He was also invited by the S.I.M.S. in Secelia to join the “Conferenza Musicale Mediterranea” to play his work “Pasacaglia for lute and Organ and strings in Palermo, Messina and Catania. In 1997 He was also invited by the “ Marschner Festival Hinterzarten “ to play and conduct some of his works.

Since 2001, he is the Chairman of the Committee for Music, Opera, and Ballet in the Supreme Council of Culture.

Compositions[link]

• Egyptian Glimpse

Film scores[link]

• 1990 - al-Bahths an Al-Sayyid Marzuq
• 1991 - Kit Kat
• 1992 - Al Sarkha
• 1992 - al-Ghaarkana
• 1993 - Ard el ahlam
• 1994 - Zeyaret el-Sayed el-Rais
• 1994 - Sarek al-farah
• 1994 - El-Bahr Bi-Yedhak Ley
• 1999 - Ard al-Khof
• 2001 - Mothakerat morahkah
• 2001 - Mowaten we Mokhber we Haramy
• 2004 - Unforgettable Romance
• 2010 - Rasael Al Bahr (Sea Messages)

See also[link]

• List of Egyptian composers

External links[link]

• Review from Al-Ahram

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