Leo Blech was a noted Jewish conductor, best known for his work with the Berlin State Opera. Born in 1871, he rose to prominence in the early 20th century and was appointed as the general music director of the Berlin State Opera in 1913 by Kaiser Wilhelm II, during the time when the institution was known as the Royal Opera. Despite his popularity, Blech was forced to retire in 1937 under the pretext of "age," amid the political climate of Nazi Germany that targeted Jewish individuals in the arts. After his retirement, he was contracted to conduct the Chicago Grand Opera Company, but due to controversy over his continued work after other Jewish musicians were removed from German music circles, this plan was eventually abandoned. Blech later conducted for the National Opera in Riga, Latvia, the Royal Opera of Stockholm, and the Municipal Opera of West Berlin. He passed away on August 27, 1958, at the age of 87.