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Leon Pollak (1879-1933), conductor, born in Prague, Czech Republic (then part of Austria-Hungary). He first studied mathematics at the Technical University in Darmstadt and in Göttingen, Germany. Attracted by the world of music, he was trained privately as a conductor by the director of the Prague Conservatory. Pollak began his career as choirmaster at the German Theater in Prague. Later he held similar positions in Bremen (1905-1910), Leipzig (1910-1912) and Frankfurt (1912-1917). From 1917 till 1932 he was principal director of the Hamburg Opera. From 1915 he conducted Wagner’s works with the Chicago Opera Company. In 1932 he was guest conductor in Cairo, and in 1933 at the Vienna State Opera. In Germany, Pollack was considered a foremost interpreter of Richard Strauss. He died in Prague of a heart attack while conducting Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven.