Leopold Sachse

Leopold Sachse (January 5, 1880 – April 3, 1961) was German-born American bass, stage director, vocal coach, and opera director. He began his career as an opera singer in Germany in the first decade of the 20th century. He served as director of several German opera houses; including Münster Stadttheater (1907-1910), Halle Opera House (1914-1919), and the Hamburg State Opera (1922-1935). In 1935 he left his native country after becoming a political target of the Nazi Party. He immigrated to the United States where he worked for the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera as a stage director. He also taught on the faculties of the Juilliard School and the Academy of Vocal Arts.

Early Life and education Leopold Sachse was born in Berlin, Germany on January 5, 1880. He was trained as a singer at the Cologne Conservatory. He also studied music privately in Berlin, From 1914 to 1919 he was director of the Halle Opera House. Conductors who worked under him at that theatre included Richard Strauss and Hans Pfitzner. In 1945 he joined the staff of the New York City Opera (NYC). He directed operas and worked as a vocal coach for NYCO for the next ten years. In 1956 he joined the faculty of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. He also taught at the American Theatre Wing.

Sachse died in Englewood, New Jersey on April 3, 1961.