June 2

© 1997, 1998 by Paul A. Schons

June 2, 1863

Birth of Felix Weingartner in Zara, Austrian Empire (now in Croatia). Weingartner was a composer and conductor. He studied with Franz Liszt at Weimar and at the conservatory in Graz, Austria. He conducted the Berlin Royal Opera in 1891. In 1907 he was appointed as Gustav Mahler's successor as conductor of the Court Opera in Vienna. He conducted the Vienna Philharmonic from 1908-1927. He directed the Vienna State Opera from 1934-1936. In 1937 he left Austria and became a Swiss citizen. He composed an opera, Sakuntala, as well as choral works, symphonies and chamber music.

June 2, 1890

Bernhard Förster commits suicide. Förster was the husband of the sister of Friedrich Nietzsche.

June 2, 1878

K. E. Nobiling attempts to assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm I. He wounds him seriously.

June 2, 2000

U. S. President William Jefferson Clinton is awarded the Charlemagne prize of the city of Aachen. Clinton was the first American president to win the prize which is given for contributions toward the unity of Europe.

June 2, 2006

The Frankfurt stock exchange (deutsche Börse) was frustrated in its attempt to merge with Euronext when it was announced on this day that the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext had agreed to a “merger of equals”.