New CSO statement re: Riccardo Muti's illness.
These statements provide an update on Maestro Muti's condition since his fall on stage during rehearsal on February 3, 2011.
Dr. Alexis B. Olsson, DDS, Chief and Associate Clinical Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, previously provided details regarding the surgery he performed to repair facial and jaw fractures. Information is now available on the underlying cause of Maestro Muti's fall.
Donald Lloyd-Jones, MD, Cardiologist, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Chair, Preventative Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Bradley P. Knight, MD, Cardiologist and Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Associate Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
"As has been reported, Maestro Muti had a fainting spell that resulted in a fall. The fainting spell was caused by a common heart rhythm disturbance. Fortunately, the remainder of the Maestro's medical evaluation has revealed that he has superb heart function. In order to prevent possible future episodes of slow heart rate, we have implanted a standard pacemaker. Pacemakers are small devices (about the size of a silver dollar) that continuously monitor the heart rhythm and can deliver a small charge to create a heart beat if the patient’s own heart rate drops too low. Patients with pacemakers live full and active lives with excellent prognosis.
“We wish him the best as he takes time to heal, and we are sincerely grateful to him and his family that they chose to entrust his cardiovascular care to our team of renowned experts at Northwestern Memorial’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.”
Riccardo Muti, Music Director, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
“I am so grateful to all of you for your support, caring and words from your hearts to mine. I am so disappointed that I was not able to share in the music making by our great Orchestra these past weeks.In my rehearsals, the Orchestra sounded like angels, and I wanted so much to make music together with them.
“A music director’s relationship with his orchestra is like a marriage.Together, we are a family and we bond in times of joy and in times of challenge. I think it was destiny that I came to Chicago and I think what has happened is also destiny, because now I understand and feel more comfortable than ever about returning to my work.”
William A. Osborn, Chairman, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association
“The Board, musicians and staff of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association completely stand behind Riccardo Muti, and we have made his recovery our top priority. I can say with certainty that the relationship between the CSOA and Maestro Muti is strong; he is an important part of our family. While health is a private and personal matter, we are grateful to Maestro Muti for allowing us to share his information with you. “
Deborah Rutter, President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association
“Our main concern is that Maestro Muti makes a full recovery so that he can return to us and make music with our wonderful Orchestra. We would like to thank the doctors and staff of Northwestern Memorial Hospital for the care that they have provided to Maestro Muti. We would also like to thank the many individuals from Chicago and around the world that have expressed their well wishes for the Maestro. This tremendous outpouring has touched him and the board, staff and musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association deeply.”
Maestro Muti is currently recovering at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
I kind of suspected that it was some kind of a cardiac problem which might make a pacemaker necessary. He'll make a complete recovery.
My cousin had two "blackouts", and sure enough, it was an "electro-cardiac" problem which was remedied by a pacemaker. That was ten
years ago and aside from a battery change every so often, he's fine and thriving. May Maestro Muti share the same good fortune.
Posted by: Les Mitchell | February 12, 2011 at 12:42 AM
Being a matter of heart beating, I should say that our heart is with him and it beats in the rhythm of esteem and tenderness towards a man who is still suffering the aftermath of a harsh life emotionally.
We love you, maestro, but love yourself too
in order to be happy.
Congratulations to the doctors who did such a good job!
Posted by: Ian | February 12, 2011 at 12:45 AM
Indeed, Ian! A big sigh of relief!
Posted by: Giuseppe | February 12, 2011 at 01:02 AM
With you 100% Ian. Great news - I'm hoping he'll be able to do the Nabucco here in March but if not better he should look after himself, rest and recuperate.
Auguri Maestro.
Posted by: WILLYM | February 12, 2011 at 09:55 AM
I have no word . Just very very grateful!
Thank you for the CSO and the doctors in Northwestern Memorial Hospital!
Noncy with prayer
Posted by: Noncy Cowans | February 12, 2011 at 12:05 PM
I wonder if being in the USA saved his life? I imagine in Chicago it's the very best. Maybe if he was in Italy they wouldn't have caught the heart problems?
Posted by: Osiris | February 12, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Maybe this was all meant to force Maestro Muti to take better care of himself and, in the end, help him to create better music and be a better person! May he soon be able to enjoy Chicago's beautiful lake front and the first zephyrs of Spring! I am sure Maestro Giulini, his sainted Italo-predecessor with CSO, is pulling for him FROM ABOVE. God bless, Ricky!
Posted by: Bill Philin-Ploplis | February 12, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Osiris - having personally experienced the heart unit of a major hospital here in Italy I'm sure he would have received #1 care. But having said that Northwestern Memorial is certainly one of the top hospitals around and he probably had the best there was looking after him - thank heavens.
Posted by: WILLYM | February 12, 2011 at 02:23 PM
resisti! we're all waiting for your nabucco maestro!
last december rossini's moise et pharaon was one of the best directions we've ever heard in rome (and not only)
Posted by: francesco | February 12, 2011 at 02:38 PM
What Nabucco and nonsense! The man needs care and very delicate and nice behaviour from the people who are in his environment, not operas or concerts.
You only think about yourself, Francesco, not the maestro as a human being! Why are you so selfish? Hasn't he offered us enough until now?
Posted by: Sophia. | February 13, 2011 at 02:04 AM
looks like he's got bradycardia. hope for speedy recovery!
Posted by: flipstinger | February 13, 2011 at 03:38 AM
@ SOPHIA
thank you very much. as all the real ladies you never express judgments on other people withot knowing them very well.
Posted by: francesco | February 13, 2011 at 01:51 PM
All best wishes to Maestro Muti for a swift return to robust health. He seems generally to possess great vitality!
Many live with this condition without trouble.
We await his return to the podium. I know the players are eager to start their performances in earnest with the Maestro.
Posted by: Visou | February 13, 2011 at 04:56 PM
The Verdi requiem recording, performed by the CSO, Russian singers, Riccardo and the chorus won the Grammy.
The participants deserve a party to celebrate
on the occasion.
This award will be a strong reinforcement for Mrs Rutter's morale after the maestro's forced cancellations.
Posted by: Sophia. | February 14, 2011 at 03:53 PM
What has the maestro decided to do with himself is a matter with lots of question marks. How far can he go with his heart under pressure? How badly does he need so many duties? How much is his manager going to push to make him say " No more "?
Definitely it is totally unwise of him to continue the way he had planned to do his jobs before September 2010!
Posted by: Pietro | February 17, 2011 at 12:34 PM
I Agree, Pietro. I couldnt believe what I heard today ,about his schedules.
I am quite confused .
If it is honestly his desire, we cant say anything.
But I feel something going on there. And I dont know what it is! I feel so uncertain ,because it must be not just purely about --Music--,and --music making--.
Breack the present rules or past tradition takes the courage.
But if we dont breack that , we cant make and leave our own treasure for young people which becomes next generation,s tradition.
Our music is not just for the theater organisations.
We have to keep our precious music, as much as that own figure. Noncy
Posted by: Noncy Cowans | February 17, 2011 at 08:57 PM