Siegfried Matthus died on August 27, 2021 at his home, after a prolonged illness. He was a German composer, conductor, and founder and director of festivals.

Matthus was born in Mallenuppen, East Prussia where his father, a farmer, ensured that his son received piano lessons. He also pursued composition and became the youngest composer in the history of the Komische Oper Berlin.

In sum, Matthus composed over 600 works including over a dozen operas. His operas include “Judith,” “Lazarillo vn Tormes,” “Graf Mirabeau,” “Desdemuna und ihre Schwestern,” “Effi Briest,” “Cosima,” and “Kronprinz Friedrich.”

He had a close working relationship with director Kurt Masur, who presented many world premieres of his music. His works are included in more than 20 recordings by several of Germany’s leading chamber music orchestras and ensembles.

Additionally, Matthus founded of the Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg Chamber Opera Festival in 1991 and directed the showcase until 2018.

Throughout his lifetime he was the winner of many awards, including the GDR National Award, Patriotic Order of Merit, Honorary Citizen of the City of Rheinsberg, Berlin International Theater Institute Award, German Critics Association Award, Cross of Officer of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.