Renowned Italian Conductor Claudio Abaddo Dies At 80

Italian conductor Claudio Abbado died at the age of 80 in Bologna on 20 January 2014. Photo by EPA/RICCARDO MUSACCHIO.

The celebrated Italian conductor Claudio Abbado has died aged 80, AFP reports.

The former principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra passed away earlier Monday.

Born in Milan, Italy in 1933, Abbado made his debut at La Scala in 1960. He became principal conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic in 1971, and served as the conductor for the Vienna State Opera from 1986-1991.

Abbado was principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1979-1986. He also served as the chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic.

In 1997 Abaddo won a Grammy Award in the Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra) category. In 2012, he was voted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame and awarded the conductor prize at the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards.

In 2013, Abbado was appointed to the Italian Senate as a Senator for life by President Giorgio Napolitano.

Abbado was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2000.

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