Riccardo Muti Accepts Birgit Nilsson Prize

Riccardo Muti was recently awarded the Birgit Nilsson Prize and on October 13, 2011 he gave his acceptance speech at the Royal Swedish Opera House. Muti has a reputation as not only a great conductor but as an uncompromising artist and citizen. On several occasions he has resigned his posts over artistic and political matters. He has strong views on the scores he conducts and on the work of stage directors. 

Muti is now music director of the Chicago Symphony and the relationship seems to be thriving. To date Muti has made few recordings in Chicago but the orchestra's are broadcast regularly on NPR. Recently, Muti conducted the same programme Mahler conducted with the New York Philharmonic in 1911 and which turned out to be his last concert. As it happens, it was a concert of works by Italian composers. It was an unusual and imaginative programming choice for both Mahler and Muti.

- Paul E. Robinson