Having finished her studies of the piano and being already a highly demanded young pianist, it was by chance that Elisabeth Attl was entrusted the direction of a choir and recognised her true vocation. She consequently started her studies of conducting at the Mozarteum in Salzburg in the class of Michael Gielen who became her mentor. Until today, the Austrian music of the 20th century has remained her main centre of interest and success, alongside with the classical repertoire of concert, opera and ballet.