Armin Jordan

Armin Jordan, was a Swiss conductor known for his interpretations of French music, Mozart and Wagner. He was born April 9, 1932 in Luzern, Switzerland, and died at age 74 in Zürich, Switzerland, on September 20, 2006. He grew up in Fribourg, and initially studied literature, law and theology before devoting himself to music full time. His first professional engagement came in 1957, when he was hired as assistant conductor at the theater in Biel. Subsequently, he was principal conductor of the Zurich Opera (1963-68), the St. Gallen opera (1968-71) and the theater of Basel (1971-89); he also led the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra from 1973 to 1985. His best-known association was with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, based in Geneva, where he was music director for 12 years, from 1985 to 1997. Internationally, he appeared with the Vienna State Opera, at the festival of Aix-en-Provence, at the Paris Opéra and in many other capitals.