Andrew Davis (conductor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Davis
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Davis, c. 1987
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andrew Frank Davis |
| Born | 2 February 1944 Ashridge, Hertfordshire, England |
| Died | 20 April 2024 (aged 80) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Conductor |
| Instruments | Organ |
Sir Andrew Frank Davis (2 February 1944 – 20 April 2024) was a famous English conductor. He was known for leading many top orchestras around the world. He held special titles like "Conductor Laureate" with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
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Early Life and Education
Andrew Davis was born in Ashridge, England. He grew up in Chesham and Watford. As a young student, he went to Watford Grammar School for Boys. There, he focused on studying classical subjects.
Even as a teenager, Andrew loved music. He played the organ at the Palace Theatre in Watford. He later studied music at the Royal College of Music and King's College, Cambridge. He was an organ scholar at Cambridge, which means he received a scholarship for his organ playing. He graduated in 1967. After college, he went to Rome to study conducting with a teacher named Franco Ferrara.
A Career in Music
Andrew Davis began his professional career in 1970. His first big job was as an associate conductor for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. This was a great start to his career.
Leading Orchestras
In 1975, Andrew Davis became the music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO). He led this orchestra for many years, until 1988. After that, he was given the special title of Conductor Laureate with the TSO. This means he was still honored by them even after his main role ended.
In 1988, he became the music director at Glyndebourne Festival Opera. This is a famous opera festival. While working there, he met American singer Gianna Rolandi, who later became his wife. He stayed at Glyndebourne until 2000.
In 1989, Andrew Davis was chosen to be the chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra (BBC SO). During his time with the BBC SO, he brought back a tradition. He conducted the "Last Night of The Proms," which is a very popular concert. He was known for his funny speeches at these concerts. He also gave serious speeches, like after the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Mother Teresa in 1997. He left his main role with the BBC SO in 2000 and also became their Conductor Laureate.
Awards and Honors
Andrew Davis received important honors for his work. In May 1992, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This is a special award from the British Queen. In 1999, he was made a Knight Bachelor, which means he could use the title "Sir."
In 2002, he conducted a concert called "Prom at the Palace." This concert was held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. It was part of the celebrations for the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of her reign.
Later Career
In 2000, Andrew Davis became the music director and principal conductor of the Lyric Opera of Chicago in the United States. While there, he conducted a famous opera series called Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner. He also led the first Chicago performance of an opera called The Midsummer Marriage by Michael Tippett. He finished his work with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2021.
From 2005 to 2008, he was a Music Advisor to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Later, in June 2012, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia named him their chief conductor. He started this role in January 2013 and stayed until December 2019.
Andrew Davis conducted many different types of music. He especially liked the music of British composers, like Michael Tippett. He even led the first performance in Britain of Tippett's work, The Mask of Time. He also made many recordings for different music companies.
Personal Life and Death
Sir Andrew Davis lived in Chicago with his wife, Lady Davis. Their son, Edward Frazier Davis, was born in 1989. Edward is now a composer, just like his father was a musician.
Andrew Davis passed away on April 20, 2024, in Chicago. He was 80 years old and died from leukaemia.
See also
In Spanish: Andrew Davis (director de orquesta) para niños
