He is best known for his intense and sometimes controversial interpretations of opera, especially works by Italian composers and Richard Strauss. Sinopoli specialized in late-nineteenth century and early-twentieth century music, from Wagner and Verdi to Strauss, Mahler and the Second Viennese School. His conducting was the object of much controversy, especially in the symphonic genre, with some berating the ``eccentricity'' of his interpretations and even doubting his conducting abilities (in Norman Lebrecht's book The Maestro Myth Lebrecht interviewed many players who performed under Sinopoli who insisted that as a conductor he was actually incompetent) while others praised the insightfulness of his often intellectual approach to works.
Norman Lebrecht
Sinopoli