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Last Night of the Proms legendary conductor Sir Andrew Davis dies aged 80-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

He led the Last Night of the Proms 12 times.

Last Night of the Proms legendary conductor Sir Andrew Davis dies aged 80-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Last Night of the Proms conductor Sir Andrew Davis has died (Picture: Getty)

Renowned conductor Sir Andrew Davis has died from leukaemia at the age of 80, it has been confirmed.

Sir Andrew performed with some of the finest, most revered orchestras in the world.

Famously, the maestro led the Last Night of the Proms a dozen times.

He was also the longest-serving chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

His agent announced his death to BBC News, adding: ‘[He lived] a remarkable, rich, meaningful life.’

He added that many would celebrate Sir Andrew’s career ‘for a long time’.

He was renowned worldwide for his contributions to music (Picture: PA)

Tributes have flooded social media in the wake of Sir Andrew’s death, with musician and conductor Julian Lloyd Webber, brother of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, writing on X: ‘Sad to learn of the death of Sir Andrew Davis. A great musician who was wonderful with his soloists.

‘I treasure the memory of a lovely Delius Concerto in 2012 with Philharmonia Orchestra. RIP.

The Royal Opera House also wrote: ‘We are saddened to hear of the death of conductor Sir Andrew Davis.

‘In a career spanning over five decades, he was the artistic leader of several of the world’s most distinguished opera and symphonic institutions including BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and Glyndebourne.’

Fellow conductor Michael Seal penned: ‘RIP Sir Andrew Davis – I never had the fortune to meet him in person but did spend a lovely couple of hours interviewing him for my podcast. 

‘A lovelier person you couldn’t wish to meet, humble & warm. He’ll be sorely missed – a great conductor & musician as well as a lovely human.’

The current chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo, expressed her gratitude for Sir Andrew’s contribution to music.

She wrote: ‘Remembering with greatest respect and admiration everything Sir Andrew Davis did for music, and particularly for dear BBC Symphony Orchestra over many decades. 

‘Always with distinction and kindness.’

Artistic director of Trasimeno Music Festival, Angela Hewitt, said: ‘Oh, Sir Andrew Davis has died. How sad. A wonderful musician, longtime Music Director of; did so much for music in Canada & everywhere. 

‘We last played together in February ’23 in Manchester. He was not well, but when he conducted it was full of life & precision.

‘I said we must perform together again soon. His reply: “Sooner rather than later”.

‘He conducted me when I won 1st Prize in Toronto Bach Competition, May 11/85. Never to be forgotten. Here he is kissing my hand backstage after Bach G- Concerto (blurry screen grab). RIP, Sir Andrew.’

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