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Jesús López Cobos

1940 – 2018

Spanish conductor

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About Jesús López Cobos

Lived 1940 – 2018 (aged 78). Jesús López Cobos was a Spanish conductor and music director.

Jesús López Cobos (25 February 1940 – 2 March 2018) was a Spanish conductor.

Early life and career López Cobos was born in Toro, Zamora, Spain. He studied at Complutense University of Madrid and graduated with a degree in philosophy. Later he studied conducting with Franco Ferrara and with Hans Swarowsky at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

From 1981 to 1990 he was general music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and from 1984 to 1988 he was music director of the Orquesta Nacional de España. From 1986 to 2001 he served as music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and from 1990 to 2000 he was principal conductor of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. From 2003 to 2010 he served as music director of the Teatro Real in Madrid. He was a National Patron of Delta Omicron, an international professional music fraternity, as well as an honorary brother of the Eta-Omicron chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Death López Cobos died in Berlin, Germany, on 2 March 2018, age 78 of cancer-related causes.

Awards 1981 Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts.

Premieres Date Venue Composer Composition Soloist(s) Orchestra1986–11–07 Madrid Enrique Llácer Soler Percussion Concerto No. 2 Enrique Llácer Soler Spanish National Madrid Lalo Schifrin Guitar Concerto Ángel Romero Spanish National

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Complutense University of Madrid, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Awards
Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts; Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts; Officer of Arts and Letters; Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Also known as
Jesus Lopez-Cobos, Jesús López-Cobos

People in Jesús López Cobos's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jesús López Cobos's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jesús López Cobos?

Spanish conductor (1940-2018)

When was Jesús López Cobos born?

Jesús López Cobos was born on 25 February 1940 in Toro.

When did Jesús López Cobos die?

Jesús López Cobos died on 2 March 2018 in Berlin.

What was Jesús López Cobos's occupation?

Jesús López Cobos was a conductor and music director.

What nationality was Jesús López Cobos?

Jesús López Cobos was Spanish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jesús López Cobos

· Wikidata: Q952160

· DBpedia: Jesús López Cobos

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jesús López Cobos. https://biography.guide/jesus-lopez-cobos/

MLA: "Jesús López Cobos." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jesus-lopez-cobos/.

Chicago: "Jesús López Cobos." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jesus-lopez-cobos/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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