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.
