SEOUL Leading Russian conductor Mark Ermler, 69, died in Seoul on Sunday after collapsing during a rehearsal for a concert by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, officials said.

Ermler was associated with the Bolshoi Theatre and Opera throughout his career and was its musical director until 2000. He became chief conductor of the Seoul Philharmonic in May 2000, AFP reported.

Ermler collapsed during a rehearsal on Thursday for a concert the following night. He died in hospital early Sunday from kidney failure, medical officials said.

Born and educated in Leningrad, Ermler began playing the piano at five and was soon spotted by the Leningrad Conservatoire where he studied conducting and piano.

He made his debut with the Leningrad Philharmonic while still a student and his debut at the Bolshoi Opera in 1957 in Cavalleria Rusticana and with the Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra in 1964.

He toured with the Bolshoi Company throughout Europe, North America and Asia and also appeared with all the major symphony orchestras of Russia while guesting and recording with other major international orchestras, including the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony, Japan Philharmonic and many others.