On April 20, 2024, Sir Andrew Davis died at the age of 80. According to reports, he died of Leukemia for which he had been diagnosed last year. Born in Ashridge, England on Feb. 2, 1944, Davis grew up in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, and in Watford where he attended Watford Boys’ Grammar School. During his time at the school, he studied {…}
Massenet’s opera “Thaïs,” set in 4th century Alexandria, focuses on two individuals with diametrically opposed outlooks and lifestyles. There is the hedonistic courtesan Thaïs, who seeks only love—although for no longer than a week at a time—and there is a cenobite monk named Athanaël, an ascetic, whose aim is to turn the courtesan to the path of righteousness. While he {…}
Ever since 2000, Sir Andrew Davis has served as the Music Director and principal conductor for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He has led a diverse repertoire from Mozart and Rossini to Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky with the company and has established the orchestra as one of the greats in the United States and the world. He has also led the {…}
(Credit: Eric Garault Photography) The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that current Music Director and Principal Conductor Sir Andrew Davis plans to step down at the end of the 2020-21 season. Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola is set to succeed him in the role. Davis has held his position at the Lyric Opera since 2000, and plans to lead “The {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2018-19 season with a number of the greatest stars performing in new productions. The season will also include two important recitals from two of the world’s greatest sopranos. Recitals & Concerts Anna Netrebko returns to Chicago for the first time since 2013 when she performed “La Bohème.” This time she performs some {…}