Sir Andrew Davis
Biographie
One of today’s most recognized and acclaimed conductors, Sir Andrew Davis leads a career that spans more than 50 years during which he has been the musical and artistic leader at several of the world’s most distinguished opera and symphonic institutions. These include the Lyric Opera of Chicago (Music Director Emeritus; Music Director and Principal Conductor, 2000–2021), BBC Symphony Orchestra (Conductor Laureate; Chief Conductor, 1989–2000), Glyndebourne Festival Opera (Music Director, 1988–2000), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Conductor Laureate; Chief Conductor, 2013–2019), and Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Conductor Laureate; Principal Conductor, 1975–1988). He also holds the honorary title of Conductor Emeritus from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Sir Andrew has conducted virtually all the world’s major orchestras, opera companies, and festivals.
Born in 1944 in Hertfordshire, England, Maestro Davis studied at King’s College, Cambridge, where he was an organ scholar before taking up conducting. His wide-ranging repertoire encompasses Baroque to contemporary works and spans the symphonic, operatic, and choral worlds. A vast and award-winning discography documents Sir Andrew’s artistry, with recent albums that include the works of Berg, Berlioz, Bliss, Elgar (winner of the 2018 Diapason d’Or de l’Année for symphonic music), Finzi, Grainger, Delius, Ives, Holst, Handel (nominated for a 2018 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance), Vaughan Williams, Carl Vine, and Bowen (nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance). He currently records exclusively for Chandos Records.
In 1992, Maestro Davis was made a Commander of the British Empire, and in 1999, he was designated a Knight Bachelor in the New Year Honours List.