Riccardo Muti receives the inaugural Charles Norman Fay Award

Capping off a season full of accolades, Riccardo Muti received two additional honors after the Concert for Chicago, which marked his last appearance as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The free program attracted 8,500 listeners Tuesday to Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, despite an air-quality alert triggered by ongoing fires in Canada.  

First, Maestro Muti, who last week was named the orchestra’s Music Director Emeritus for Life, was recognized for his contributions to the City of Chicago over his past 13 seasons with the CSO. Bill Conway, alderman of Chicago’s 34th Ward, which includes Orchestra Hall, read a resolution bestowed by the City Council and Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I am grateful to represent the community that Symphony Center calls home and honored to share the mayor and City Council’s deep appreciation for Maestro Muti’s immeasurable contributions to arts, education and culture in Chicago and around the world,” Conway said. “We wish him all the best in his new emeritus role and look forward to many encores to come.”

Next, CSOA President Jeff Alexander and Board Chair Mary Louise Gorno presented Muti with the inaugural Charles Norman Fay Award for Distinguished Leadership, named for one of the founding trustees of what would become the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 

In accepting the Fay Award, Muti reflected on his relationship with the CSO. “Thirteen years ago, I was here [at Millennium Park], with the great Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the wonderful public, he said. “Perhaps many of you are here again tonight, sí?,” a query that received thunderous applause. “That was the beginning of my wonderful relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I have said many times that Chicago is fortunate to have one of the greatest orchestras in the world. So please come often to the concert hall, because in a world like today, full of crimes and [other tragedies], music can help the soul.”

Muti repeated his vow that he plans to keep the CSO “close to his heart.” “I’m so honored to become Music Director Emeritus for Life. Considering I am 30 years old, I will be here for many years to come! Because I love the CSO so much, even after death, my ghost will come back,” as he gestured as a spirit might. Referring to his residency this fall, he quipped, “I will come back in September. So it’s like I went out through the door, [but] I am coming back through the window.

“I would like to thank officially all the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. They have made the last 13 years a wonderful voyage for me. So, grazie, come to the Chicago Symphony!”

In addition, Muti handed over two batons — one from his final subscription concerts as music director and the other from the community concert — to the CSOA’s Rosenthal Archives to end his chapter as the 10th music director.