VIENNA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Vienna state opera musical director Franz Weiser-Moest collapsed while conducting a Wagner opera in the Vienna State Opera, according to an official statement issued Monday.

The 52-year-old director suffered a severe attack of lumbago at the end of the first act of the four-and-a-half hour long "Parsifal."

He was sent to hospital and could return home later in the evening.

The Austrian musician conducted the traditional Vienna new year concert 2013, and has worked with some of the most respected orchestras around the world.