In Monday’s (10/4) Chicago Tribune, John von Rhein writes, “Not only did illness force Riccardo Muti to withdraw from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony Ball concert Saturday night at Orchestra Hall, it will force the CSO music director to cancel the remainder of his fall residency weeks with the orchestra. The Italian conductor, 69, is ‘suffering from extreme gastric distress’ and, on the advice of local physicians, ‘must fly home to Milan to consult with his doctors,’ according to a statement released by the orchestra on Sunday. … His next scheduled concerts with the CSO are during his winter residency, Feb. 3-19. … Most of the programming for the remaining Muti weeks this month will remain unchanged, but three conductors will replace him. Harry Bicket will take over the final performance of Muti’s Haydn-Mozart program on Tuesday. Israeli conductor Asher Fisch will lead this week’s Wagner-Chavez-Beethoven program, Thursday to Saturday. CSO emeritus conductor Pierre Boulez will fill in on the Oct. 14-17 program of Rands, Hindemith and Cherubini works with Mahler’s Symphony No. 7.”
Posted October 4, 2010
