Jesús López Cobos (25 February 1940 – 2 March 2018) was a Spanish conductor. Early life and career López Cobos was born in Toro, Zamora, Spain. He studied at Complutense University of Madrid and graduated with a degree in philosophy. Later he studied conducting with Franco Ferrara and with Hans Swarowsky at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. From 1981 to 1990 he was general music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and from 1984 to 1988 he was music director of the Orquesta Nacional de España. From 1986 to 2001 he served as music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and from 1990 to 2000 he was principal conductor of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. From 2003 to 2010 he served as music director of the Teatro Real in Madrid. He was a National Patron of Delta Omicron, an international professional music fraternity. López Cobos was managed by London-based agency Intermusica. Death López Cobos died in Berlin, Germany, on 2 March 2018, age 78 of cancer-related causes. Awards 1981 Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts. Premieres See also Lopez Cobos International Opera Conductors Competition References External links Jésus López Cobos at the Prince of Asturias Foundation website Short biography Interview with Jesús López Cobos, August 1, 1997 1940 births 2018 deaths Spanish conductors (music) Male conductors (music) Music directors (opera) University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna alumni Complutense University of Madrid alumni Prize-winners of the International Besançon Competition for Young Conductors 20th-century Spanish musicians 20th-century conductors (music) 21st-century Spanish musicians 21st-century conductors (music) Officers Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 20th-century Spanish male musicians 21st-century male musicians Erato Records artists People from the Province of Zamora