“Spanish conductor Jesús López-Cobos, who led the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra throughout the 1990s and held the title music director emeritus with the orchestra, died today in Berlin, according to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo,” writes Nikki Kingery in Friday’s (3/2) Cincinnati Business Courier. “The 78-year-old conductor, who served as musical director of the CSO from 1986 to 2001, had been battling cancer. Born in Toro, Spain, in 1940, López-Cobos had a long career with many orchestras around the world. He was musical director of the Teatro Real in Madrid from 2003 to 2010, and director of the National Orchestra of Spain 1984-88. He also served as general music director for the [Deutsche Oper] in Berlin [1981-1990]. He was the principal conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne [1991-2000] and the principal guest conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Galicia.… The CSO issued a statement … ‘His extraordinary tenure as music director here in Cincinnati from 1986 to 2000 had a lasting impact and he forged so many wonderful friendships.… There will be a moment of silence before each of this weekend’s concerts and we will dedicate the performances on March 23 and 24 in Jesús López-Cobos’ memory.’… López-Cobos was active until his death. His website listed performances that he was due to give in the coming months, including … at the Vienna State Opera. López-Cobos will be buried in his hometown of Toro.”
Posted March 2, 2018
Photo of Jesús López-Cobos by Javier del Real
