Davis, Sir Colin Rex, 1927–2013, English conductor. Davis began his musical career as a clarinetist, and was a self-taught conductor. After serving with the Sadler's Wells Opera, he was the conductor of the British Broadcasting Corporation Symphony (1967–71) and of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden (1971–86). He made his American debut in 1961 with the Minneapolis Symphony. Chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich from 1983 to 1993, he became principal conductor of the London Symphony in 1995, remaining there 11 years. He was also principal guest conductor of the New York Philharmonic (1998–2003). Davis was especially renowned for his performances of Mozart, Sibelius, and Berlioz. He was knighted in 1980.
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