Gielen, Josef#
b. Cologne (Germany), Dec. 20, 1890, d. Vienna, Oct. 19, 1968, actor and director. Acting debut in 1913, from 1921 directorial work, assignments in Dresden and Berlin, engaged at the Vienna Burgtheater from 1937-1939; after his return from emigration director of the Burgtheater from 1948-1954, enriched the programme with modern French and American plays; from 1957-1960 head producer at the Vienna State Opera; directed plays at the Salzburg Festival, at La Scala in Milan and at the Grand Opera in Paris. Awarded the Kainz Medal in 1961; made an honorary member of the Burgtheater in 1963.
Literature#
M. Kluth, Der Regisseur J. G., doctoral thesis, Vienna 1966.