Vale Sir Andrew Davis

The MSO’s Conductor Laureate died on Saturday aged 80.

23 Apr 2024

Richard Watts

Black and white image of a smiling white man leaning against a music packing case wearing a white bow tie and formal suit.

Performing Arts

The late Sir Andrew Davis. Photo: Supplied.

Sir Andrew Davis, former Chief Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) between 2013-2019, died in Chicago on Saturday 20 April after battling leukaemia. He was 80 years old.

Davis, who made his debut with the MSO in 2009, went on to became the Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate between 2020 and 2024, after stepping down as Chief Conductor.

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

Join Now Login

Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts