Next person biography:
Arthur Fiedler, the long-time director of the Boston Pops Orchestra, was a renowned conductor who led the orchestra from its inception in 1885 until his death in 1979. Fiedler was instrumental in shaping the orchestra's identity and establishing its reputation for performing light classical and popular music. During his tenure, the Pops recorded extensively, made frequent tours, and appeared regularly on television.
Fiedler's most notable achievement was his annual performance of "The Stars and Stripes Forever" at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade every Fourth of July. The concert, which featured the unfurling of the American flag as the song reached its climax, became a beloved Boston tradition.
After Fiedler's death, John Williams succeeded him as conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Williams, a film composer, continued Fiedler's legacy by bringing classical music to a wide audience and expanding the orchestra's repertoire to include well-known film scores.
