Contact:  Rick Peterson, Manager of News Services, 920/832-6590
For Immediate Release
October 21, 1999 

Lawrence University Awarding Honorary Degree to Washington Opera
Conductor


     APPLETON, WIS. -- Heinz Fricke, musical director of the Washington
Opera, will  conduct the Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra in a
performance of Richard Wagneršs "Ride of the Valkyries" Nov. 2 as the
opening guest speaker of Lawrence's 1999-2000 convocation series.
     In addition, Lawrence President Richard Warch will confer an
honorary doctor of fine arts degree on Fricke during the convocation,
which begins at 11:10 a.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel.  The
convocation is free and open to the public.
     Fricke, widely considered one of the world's leading conductors of
the German repertoire, was appointed musical director of the Washington
Opera in 1992 following his debut there in "Der fliegende Hollander." 
     Prior to joining the Washington Opera, Fricke directed the Berlin
State Opera from 1961-91 and the Norwegian National Opera from 1984-90.
He also has conducted frequently at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, as well as
in Munich, Brussels, Copenhagen, Paris, Stockholm, Milan and Madrid.
His symphonic conducting has led him to concert stages throughout the
world, including Japan, Australia and South America.
     Best known for his interpretations of operas by Wagner and Strauss
and the symphonic works of Beethoven, Brahms and Bruckner, Fricke will
direct the Washington Opera's productions of "Rigoletto" and "Tosca"
during the upcoming season. 
     His recordings include complete versions of Strauss' "Feuersnot,"
Lortzing's "Zar und Zimmermann" and most recently, Karl-Amadeus
Hartmann's "Simplicius Simplicissimus." He also has conducted symphonic
disks of Bruckner's 4th, 6th and 8th symphonies as well as orchestral
works by Liszt and Delibes.
     Born in Halberstadt, Germany, Fricke studied music in Weimar with
Hermann Abendroth and in Berlin with Erich Kleiber.