Italian operatic conductor. His active international career lasted from 1953 to 2007, and he specialized in the Italian repertory and contemporary works. He was particularly noted for his 51-year association with Lyric Opera of Chicago, as co-artistic director, artistic director, principal conductor, and artistic director emeritus. He also served as Artistic Director of both the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and as principal conductor of the Danish Royal Opera, in addition to frequent work as a guest conductor at various major opera houses
