Charles Mackerras (born 1925) is considered one of the most dynamic conductors within modern opera. He spent 30 years at Sadler's Wells Opera during which he both presented Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756--1791) operas in their intended form, but sung in English, and introduced the work of Leos Janacek, the Czech composer, to the West. He also has specialized in presenting operas from the Baroque period. He is said to have conducted more operas than any other British conductor actively working. He is equally reknown for his work with orchestral pieces.

From Oboe, Checked out Czechs as He Pursued Conducting

Alan Charles Mackerras was born on November 17, 1925, in Schenectady, New York, to Australian parents--Alan Patrick Mackerras and Catherine Brearcliffe. His father, an electrical engineer, was pursuing a scholarship at General Electric in Schenectady at the time. He and his parents returned to Australia, and Mackerras was raised and educated in Sydney...