Sinopoli began to make a name for himself as a composer of
serial works, becoming professor of contemporary and electronic music at the Venice Conservatoire Benedetto Marcello in 1972, and a major proponent of the
new movement in Venice for contemporary music. He studied conducting at the Vienna Academy of Music under
Hans Swarowsky; and in Venice, founded the
Bruno Maderna Ensemble in the 1970s. His single most famous composition is perhaps his opera
Lou Salomé, which received its first production in Munich in 1981, with
Karan Armstrong in the title role. Sinopoli was appointed principal conductor of the
Philharmonia in 1984, and served in this position until 1994, making a number of recordings with them, including music by
Elgar and the complete symphonies of
Mahler. Sinopoli was supposed to take over the position of chief conductor at
Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1990. However, even before the start of his term he receded from his contract. He became principal conductor of the
Staatskapelle Dresden in 1992. He also joined the
Bayreuth Festival's roster of conductors. He is best known for his intense and sometimes controversial interpretations of opera, especially works by Italian composers and
Richard Strauss. Sinopoli specialized in late-nineteenth century and early-twentieth century music, from Wagner and Verdi to Strauss, Mahler and the
Second Viennese School. His conducting was the object of much controversy, especially in the symphonic genre, with some berating the "eccentricity" of his interpretations, while others praised the insightfulness of his often intellectual approach to works. == Compositions ==