Davis, Sir Colin (1927-2013), a British orchestra conductor, became known for the originality, passion, and freshness of his interpretations. Davis was particularly praised for his vibrant interpretations of the works of such composers as Hector Berlioz of France, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart of Austria, Jean Sibelius of Finland, Igor Stravinsky of Russia, and Sir Michael Tippett of the United Kingdom.
Colin Rex Davis was born on Sept. 25, 1927, in Weybridge, Surrey. He studied at the Royal College of Music and became an accomplished clarinetist. He made his debut as a conductor with the Mozart Opera Company in 1952. From 1959 to 1961, he was conductor of the Sadler’s Wells Opera Company, and from 1961 to 1965 was its musical director. He became chief conductor for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Symphony Orchestra in 1967. Davis served as musical director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, from 1971 until he retired from this post in 1986. During the same period, he also served as principal guest conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and appeared with other internationally famous orchestras. From 1983 to 1992, he conducted the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Germany. In 1974, he began a long association with the London Symphony Orchestra, serving as its principal conductor from 1995 to 2006. He was knighted in 1980. Davis died on April 14, 2013.
