Muti wins Grammy

One of Italy’s most acclaimed conductors, Riccardo Muti, took home his first Grammy on February 13 for his recording of Verdi’s Requiem with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra also claimed the Best Classical Album of the year award, and Muti, together with chorus director Duain Wolfe, won the Best Choral Performance of the year award. The 2011-2012 season will be Muti’s tenth as music director at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and he is scheduled to take the ensemble on a world tour. The two Grammys were good news for Muti, who took a terrible fall during a rehearsal on February 8, breaking his jaw. Days later, the 69-year-old conductor was fitted with a pacemaker to correct a heart condition.