Italian conductor Claudio Abbado, died this morning at the age of 80. He had been ill for several years, yet continued working until a couple of months ago. He was a greatly loved figure, with a big heart and gentle approach. He often conducted from memory, remarking that the use of a score signified that he hadn’t studied the work enough. His last concerts were in late August 2013 with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, which he founded, conducting Schubert and Bruckner.
He was the musical director of Milan’s opera house, La Scala, the same city where he was born, and where he received his formal education at the Milan Conservatoire. He was also the principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, principal guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Vienna State Opera, and principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra.… [continue reading]
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