Fallen maestro stands in for post-op Muti

Riccardo Muti is recovering from an operation on his hip after a fall at his home in Ravenna.

For want of anyone better (or a burst of initiative), the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has asked Gennady Rozhdestvensky to stay on for an extra week and cover Muti’s concerts.

Gennady is a wonderful conductor, but he’s 84 years old and, like Muti, very recently suffered a serious fall that caused a last-minute concert cancellation in Dresden.

Chicago need to go bolder on their subs bench.

They could be tempting fate.

Overnight press release:
CHICAGO— Distinguished Russian conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky, who is currently in Chicago to lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in performances of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 & 15 this weekend (February 5 & 6), has graciously agreed to remain with the Orchestra for an additional set of concerts on February 11, 12, 13 & 16.   Rozhdestvensky steps in for CSO Music Director Riccardo Muti, who had to withdraw from his February concerts in Chicago due to recovery from a hip operation.