Composer Ernst Mahle passed away at the age of 96, on May 12.

Mahle was born in Stuttgart, Württemberg, Germany on Jan. 3, 1929. He studied music in Stuttgart before moving to Brazil in 1951. He studied music with composers such as Ernst Krenek and Olivier Messiaen. In 1962, Mahle became a Brazilian citizen.

In 1953, he helped found the Escola de Música de Piracicaba. After teaching music there, he became artistic director and conductor of the orchestra and choir of the institute. He held these posts for over fifty years.

Mahle’s first opera, “Marroquinhas Fru-Fru” premiered in 1974. He later wrote, “A Moreninha,” “Isaura,” and “O Garatuja.” He also wrote several instrumental works and choral arrangements. He was a member of the Brazilian Academy of Music.

He lived with his wife Maria Apparecida Romera Pinto Mahle in Piracicaba, Brazil.