(credit: Todd Rosenberg Photography) The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has named Riccardo Muti Music Director Emeritus for Life beginning with the 2023-4 season. The new artistic title was announced during an onstage ceremony June 23 at Orchestra Hall, after the first of three concerts of Beethoven’s “Missa solemnis,” which will mark his final subscription program as Music Director. Muti took up {…}
Riccardo Muti is stepping down as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The conductor, whose contract is ending at the end of 2022-23 season, will continue performing but less frequently and without the demands of being the orchestra’s music director. Muti became Music Director of the Chicago orchestra in 2010 and will leave after 13 years. However, next season {…}
(© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2012) Conductor Riccardo Muti was given the 27th Faraglioni Prize in Capri on August 30, 2022. The distinction was bestowed on the famed Italian conductor at the Grand Hotel Quisisiana for his contributions to arts and culture. It was presented to Muti by Marino Lembo, the Mayor of Capri. The prize reads, “To Riccardo Muti, a {…}
This week audiences will get to discover recordings of unknown pieces, new composers, and by one by the great bass-baritones in operatic history. Here is a look at the new recordings. Gathering The new album features stirring and varied songs by American composer Ben Moore, written over a period of some 30 years and ranging from modern art songs to {…}
Maestro Riccardo Muti is sticking to the original text of “Un Ballo in Maschera.” In a recent interview with the Associated Press in anticipation of his performances of the Verdi opera, the conductor commented on a racially charged text in the original score which states, “dell’immondo sangue de’ negri (“she has filthy Black blood).” The conductor decided not to alter {…}
The Teatro Regio di Torino has announced its 2022 season. Grigorij Frid’s “Il diario di Anna Frank” will be performed by Shira Patchornik and conducted by Giulio Laguzzi. Anna Maria Bruzzese directs the production. Performance Dates: Jan. 27 & 28, 2022 Dinara Alieva and Maria Teresa Leva lead Puccini’s “La Bohème” with Valentin Dytiuk and Matteo Lippi as Rodolfo. The cast {…}
The Chicago Symphony has renewed Riccardo Muti’s contract as Music Director until the 2022-23. The 80-year-old Italian conductor began his tenure with the orchestra in 2010, succeeding Daniel Barenboim, and is set to lead 10 weeks of concerts in Chicago and four weeks on tour, which will include a trip to China, Japan, and Taiwan. During his final season Muti {…}
Riccardo Muti has received the Great Gold Medal of Honor for services to the Austrian Republic. The 80-year-old conductor received the medal following a concert performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis on August 16 with the Wiener Philharmoniker. Muti has conducted 270 times at the festival, more than any other conductor in it’s history except Herbert von Karajan. While the conductor {…}
Riccardo Muti has weighed in on the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra’s situation releasing a statement in support of the orchestra. Muti said, “The closure of the Metropolitan Opera House and the dramatic situation of its wonderful Orchestra embodies a profound grief, not only for the city of New York, but for the entire cultural world. Without music and the musicians who {…}
The Teatro Regio di Torino has announced its December, January, and February program. The newly announced showcase will begin on Dec. 23 with the theater’s Christmas Concert. Gianandrea Noseda returns to the Teatro Regio to conduct the annual concert which will include music by Bach, Mozart, Lutero, and Stravinsky. The concert will feature the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro {…}
Giuseppe Conte has responded to Riccardo Muti’s letter imploring the prime minister to reopen theaters. In a letter to the maestro, Conte said, “I respond to your heartfelt appeal … and I take the opportunity to share some considerations with you and with the readers. Your reflections touch me deeply, and I do not think they have left readers indifferent. {…}