Just in: Andrew Davis leaves Chicago

In a slightly peculiar press release (see below), the Lyric Opera has announced a successor to Sir Andrew Davis before confirming that the music director will step down in 2021.

Davis, 75, will have served for 20 years.

His successor, the Spnaish-Italian Enrique Mazzola, will be the company’s third music director. He is presently principal guest at  at the Deutsche Oper, Berlin.

photo: Christodoulou

Press release:
Lyric Opera of Chicago names dynamic Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola as Lyric’s next music director
Mazzola is only the third person to serve in this role at Lyric following Sir Andrew Davis, who celebrates his 20th year at the helm and will complete his tenure with Lyric’s 2020|21 season, formally “passing the baton” to Mazzola for the 2021|22 season.

As general director, president & CEO Anthony Freud announced today, big changes are underway at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Acclaimed and beloved music director Sir Andrew Davis plans to conclude his two-decade-long tenure at the end of the 2020|21 season. Eminent Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola has been named as Lyric’s music director designate, effective immediately, and will become Lyric’s music director beginning with the 2021|22 season. As Davis continues his substantial responsibilities while overseeing the transition, Mazzola looks forward to his role in leading Lyric through the next, dynamic chapter of the iconic company’s journey.

Mazzola and Davis joined Freud in the theater for the announcement at the Lyric Opera House. Meanwhile, Davis is preparing to conduct Rossini’s The Barber of Seville to open Lyric’s 65th season on Sept. 28, and Mazzola will begin rehearsals next week for Verdi’s early masterpiece, Luisa Miller, which opens Oct. 12.