David Schlager | Conductor

„… at first glance he [David Schlager] reminds a little of Kurt Masur … comparingly little gestures … if you talk to him, you feel how much he burns for his profession.“ Leipziger Volkszeitung

Austrian-born David Schlager is a conductor of great flexibility recognized for his elegant conducting style, searching musical intellect and inspirational music-making.

Recent competition success has seen him reach the finals at the Ionel Perlea International Conducting Competition in Slobozia (Romania), proving himself in both symphonic and operatic repertoire. In addition to second prize, he won the special prizes of the Romanian Craiova Opera and the Sibiu State Philharmonic. His debut with the glamorous gala concert in Sibiu immediately led to a re-invitation and an engagement to conduct the Oradea Philharmonic performing works by Liszt and Bruckner.

Previously David Schlager had already joined various orchestras such as the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra at Gewandhaus, the Josef Haydn Orchestra, Young Philharmonic Vienna, Europe United Orchestra, the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra as well as the Pazardjik Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria) following a masterclass’ final concert at Teatro Niccolini in Florence, where the conductor gained international attention.

Schlager’s operatic highlights include a recent production of Johann Strauss’ Zigeuerbaron at Craiova Romanian Opera with tour performances to Germany as well as Humperdinck’s Hänsel & Gretel for “Das Opernkarussell”. Further music productions date back to prior the pandemic: Im Weißen Rössl, Elisir d’amore, Così fan tutte, Merry Widow and Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.

In 2021 David Schlager founded The Styrian Chamber Philharmonic and serves as its artistic director. In addition to his work as a conductor, the versatile artist is an active recital and concert singer as well as an acclaimed organist.

At the age of twenty-one he began to make music with singers and musicians from his homeland resulting in performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

Born in Leoben, he studied conducting and accompaniment at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz with Martin Sieghart, Marc Piollet and Günter Fruhmann. In 2020 he was awarded the university’s honorary prize.