Andris Nelsons falls sick mid-concert
OrchestrasBoston Symphony pulled one out of the fire last night when music director Andris Nelsons fell sick after conducting a Mozart overture.
Orchestra CEO Chad Smith came on stage to call an intermission after the overture.
He returned after a break to announce that assistant conductor Sami Rachid would conduct the rest of the concert, consisting of Mozart’s Linz symphony and and Kevin Puts’ song cycle The Brightness of Light, with soloists Renee Fleming and Rod Gilfry.
Our eyewitness reports that the concert went really well, with much foot-stomping in the orchestra at the close for the stand-in French conductor (pictured).
UPDATE: Other concertgoers tell us Nelsons was clinging with one hand to the back of the rostrum throughout the overture, clearly in distress. Why he was persuaded or allowed to conduct at all should be a matter for concern.
I wish Nelsons a speedy recovery
I sat first row just barely to the right of the podium. Andris, for having earned a black belt in Taekwondo two years ago, walked to the podium week legged. During the Mozart overture to Abduction from the Seraglio, Andris steadied himself on the podium with left hand holding the back rail, and the palm of his right hand on the lop of the music stand 98% of the time. He conducted with wrist and fingers motions throughout.
Before the CEO came out, I knew Andris was not fit to do the rest of the concert.
A first question I thought was whether he was sick with fever. If that was the case, he had no business trying to wrestle through the show—not fair to performance nearest to him.
My second thought was whether he had a health problem like neurological, cardiac, etc.
The CEO said Andris was with his doctors, not doctor, before announcing the assistant conductor would finish the concert.
Not good news for Nelsons, a speedy recovery – he’s always seemed physically out of shape.
Presumably, as he performed at least some of the concert he will still collect a fee or a portion of it. That will help him feel better.
A rather odd programme on paper at least, but great for Sami Rachid that he was able to pick up the baton with such distinction.
It would be great to hear about Andris’ current health status! He seems to have lost a lot of weight since last year… I am now worried! Hope he feels better soon!
Ozempic? Losing weight is not necessarily because of ‘illness’.
He could have succumbed to anything – vertigo, gastric or covid, or… pick a card. It happens, you know. My thoughts are with AN getting back to full strength and the business he loves!!
Too much junk food? Or something else…. with a needle
That is unfair. You fight dirty
Rachid’s Bernstein moment?
Maybe having to be around Chad Smith MADE him sick? Ugh!
Perhaps you should be getting back to getting rid of Madeline!!!
Aren’t situations like this what gives future Leonard Bernsteins an opportunity to strut their stuff. Just call in sick.
According to several BSO players, he was fine and back rehearsing yesterday morning.
Thanks, that’s a relief.