Conductor Klaus Weise has died at age 86.

The sought-after maestro from Pomerania began his career in Trier before putting down roots in Kiel, where he served as general music director at Theater Kiel from 1981 to 1985. He would later return to Kiel in 2001 and 2007 as a guest conductor of the Kiel Philharmonic.

From Kiel, Weise joined the Dortmund Philharmonic as its general music director from 1985 to 1990. After his tenure in Dortmund, the maestro assumed the role of chief conductor of Opéra de Nice and the city’s Philharmonic Orchestra until 1997. Prior to becoming a freelance conductor in 2000, Weise served as the general music director of the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville.

Freelance opportunities arose in the early aughts and he became a permanent guest conductor at the Royal Danish Opera, the Royal Swedish Opera, Opéra National de Bordeaux, and the New York City Opera. Weise was also a guest conductor with the Chinese Philharmonic in Beijing.

In 2007, while serving as Chief Conductor of the Staatskapelle Halle, he abruptly announced his resignation from his post after a dispute with the orchestra. His last concert in Halle was in May 2007. After leaving Halle, Weise conducted in Turkey and Asia.