Obituary: David Schweizer Passed Away at 74

By Afton Markay
(Photo credit: Caleb Wertenbaker)

David Schweizer, acclaimed stage director, died of a heart attack on Dec. 4 in New York.

Schweizer’s career in opera included directing the world premieres of “The Greater Good” by Stephen Hartke and Philip Littell at the Glimmerglass Festival, “The Long Walk” by Jeremy Howard Beck and Stephanie Fleischmann at Opera Saratoga, “Elizabeth Cree” by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell with Chicago Opera Theater, and “The Nefarious, Immoral but Highly Profitable Enterprise of Mr. Burke & Mr. Hare” by Julian Grant and Campbell at Boston Lyric Opera.

He also was recognized for his productions of “The Mines of Sulphur” with the New York City Opera, “Albert Herring ” at Gotham Chamber Opera, “The Emperor of Atlantis” at the Boston Lyric Opera, and “Candide,” “Hydrogen Jukebox,” “Powder Her Face,” and “As One” at Long Beach Opera.

The Los Angeles Times said of Schweizer, His work directing and developing new theater, opera and live performance work spans decades and ‘never fails to excite.'”

He is survived by his partner of 15 years, Caleb Wertenbaker, and by his brother, Thomas “Tim” Schweizer.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced to the public.

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