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17th February 2020 Costi Levy (2019, Philosophy and Spanish)

Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano made Honorary Fellow

Antonio Pappano receives the Vittorio de Sica prize from President Napolitano

Antonio Pappano (right) receives the Vittorio de Sica prize from Italy’s President Napolitano. Image by Presidenza della Repubblica

Exeter’s Governing Body has elected musician Sir Antonio Pappano to an Honorary Fellowship. His election will expand Exeter’s esteemed body of Honorary Fellows, which includes author Sir Phillip Pullman and journalist Reeta Chakrabarti, among many others.

Sir Antonio Pappano is an acclaimed British-Italian conductor and pianist, who was knighted in 2012 for his services to music. He is best known for his role as Music Director of the Royal Opera House, a position he has held since 2002. The youngest leader of the Royal Opera House, he has conducted a wide range of repertories, from Verdi to Britten, and most recently conducted a tour of Faust and Othello in Japan.

Antonio Pappano’s conducting has had an impact globally. In addition to his work in Britain, he has held a position as music director of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia since 2005, and has conducted in Belgium, Norway and Germany. His international career reflects his transatlantic upbringing. Born in Essex in 1959, he was raised first in Benevento, then in Connecticut. His love for the opera began at a young age: he is the son of a singing teacher and began working as a répétieur at the New York City Opera aged 21. His passion for music turned him quickly to conducting, and since his debut performance in Oslo in 1987 he has continued to make his mark across the world.

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