 Franz Liszt began his tenure as "Kapellmeister" in 1842, and championed the music of Richard Wagner, Hector Berlioz, Peter Cornelius.Through this and his teaching activities, Liszt enhanced the prestige of Weimar as a musical hub, notably conducting the world premieres of Wagner's "Lohengrin" in 1850 and Cornelius's "Der Barbier von Bagdad" in 1858.After Liszt left in 1858, he was succeeded by Eduard Lassen who remained as director until his retirement in 1895.