Iván Fischer studied piano, violin, cello and composition in Budapest. He went on to Vienna where he studied orchestral conducting with Hans Swarowsky. Subsequently he was Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s assistant for two seasons.
In 1983 Fischer founded the Budapest Festival Orchestra. With this ensemble, of which he is still chief conductor, he introduced many innovations, such as the famous ‘Cocoa Concerts’ for young children, the ‘Midnight Music’ concerts for young audiences, surprise concerts, and several education and outreach projects including a tour of former synagogues.
He is active as a composer and as opera director for his Iván Fischer Opera Company. He is also the founder of several festivals, including the Vicenza Opera Festival. In the past Iván Fischer was Music Director at Kent Opera, Opéra National de Lyon, Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, and chief conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, which named him honorary conductor.
Ever since 1987, Fischer has made guest appearances with the Concertgebouw Orchestra almost every year. In October 2020, the orchestra appointed him honorary guest conductor with effect from the 2021/22 season.
Iván Fischer received the prestigious Kossuth Prize, the Ovation Prize, and the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award for his support of international cultural exchange. He was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and made an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Iván Fischer limits his guest conducting appearances to very few orchestras in order to spend enough time and attention to his work as a composer, his Budapest Festival Orchestra, his opera company and the continuous development of creative ideas. He is a well-known advocate of human rights, democracy and tolerance.