Conductor Herbert von Karajan was born on April 5, 1908, in Salzburg, Austria. He passed away on July 16, 1989. He began piano lessons at the age of three and studied at the Mozarteum at age seven. At age 18, he entered the Vienna Academy of Music and transitioned from pianist to conducting. After graduating, he was appointed conductor of the Ulm State Opera. In 1935, he became the general music director of the city of Aachen, but as a condition of that position, he joined the Nazi Party, a position he was criticized for for the rest of his life. In 1955, he accompanied the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on its American tour as a replacement for Furtwängler, who had suddenly died the previous year, and went on to become the orchestra's fourth artistic director and principal conductor. He continued to conduct the orchestra for over 30 years, and in 1956 he became artistic director of the Vienna State Opera. He also served as director of the German Opera at La Scala, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director for life of the Vienna Philharmonic Chorus. In 1982, a dispute over the joining of clarinetist Sabine Meyer led to a deterioration in his relationship with the Berlin Philharmonic, and he resigned as artistic director and principal conductor in 1989. He died in July of the same year at the age of 81. He delivered flamboyant and romantic performances. He also paid particular attention to appearance, such as ensuring that his band members' bowings were synchronized. He also lived an extravagant life, traveling by private jet and owning luxury cars such as Mercedes, Ferraris, and Rolls-Royce.