Michael Tilson Thomas has died at the age of 81. The conductor died at home on April 22, 2026 surrounded by family and friends. In 2021, he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive type of brain cancer. Through his illness he continued to make music. He was preceded in death by his husband Joshua Robison. Born in Los Angeles {…}
(Credit: Carlos Avila Gonzalez) Joshua Robison, the husband of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, died in his sleep on Feb. 22. He was 79. While Tilson Thomas was the music director and public face of the San Francisco Symphony from 1995–2020, Robinson was considered a vital part of the organization. He was a constant presence at the San Francisco Symphony, and {…}
Michael Tilson Thomas has announced he is scaling back his concerts after announcing that a tumor has returned. The conductor took to social media and said, “Three years ago, I wrote to tell you that I’m battling Glioblastoma. The three and a half years since the initial diagnosis have been a special time in my life, filled with friends, family, {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. Happy New Year! For the first week of the year, there are many rarely performed operas on offer and a some world premiere recordings that will be intriguing for opera fans. Grace: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas In celebration of his 80th {…}
The San Francisco Conservatory of Music has named conductor and composer Michael Tilson Thomas as the institution’s Distinguished Professor of Music. In his new position, Tilson Thomas will work individually with students, participate in readings with the SFCM orchestra, and conduct masterclasses. Tilson Thomas said, “I’m so looking forward to expanding my work with the next generation of musicians and {…}
Michael Tilson Thomas is stepping down as Artistic Director of the New World Symphony due to his current medical condition. In a statement, he said, “I’m taking stock of my life and will be reducing my administrative responsibilities. I have decided that, after 34 years, I will be stepping down as the Artistic Director of the New World Symphony. This {…}
The New York Philharmonic has announced that Michael Tilson Thomas will return to the podium in November. The orchestra announced that the performances will be his first appearances since undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor this summer. It will also mark the first time he conducts the Philharmonic in 10 years. Tilson Thomas will conduct a program that includes {…}
Michael Tilson Thomas is recovering after a successful surgery to remove a brain tumor. On Friday, August 6, his representatives noted that the Los Angeles-born conductor had surgery on an undisclosed date and will undergo therapy for several months. As a result, the conductor has canceled all performances through November, including engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony {…}
The New World Symphony has announced its 2021-22 season featuring chamber music concerts, world-class soloists, and a diversity of conductors. For this article, we will only focus on the vocal and operatic performances. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the Welcome back concert featuring Measha Brueggergosman and Chad Goodman in music by Emmanuel Chabrier, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Franz Schubert. Performance Date: {…}
Carnegie Hall has made its opening night performance from October 8, 2020 available to stream for free on its Facebook and YouTube pages for the next 90 days. The star-studded lineup of artists includes Joyce DiDonato, Gustavo Dudamel, Michael Feinstein, Renee Fleming, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, James Taylor, and Michael Tilson Thomas. Directed by Emmy Award-winner Habib Azar, the program included archival {…}
San Francisco Symphony has announced its 2019-20 season, which marks the 25th and final season of Michael Tilson Thomas’ distinguished tenure as Music Director. For the purposes of this article, we will focus primarily on vocal performances. The season will start off with a concert led by Michael Tilson Thomas featuring tenor Nicholas Phan and cellist Oliver Herbert, along with {…}