In 1971, Muti was invited by Herbert von Karajan to conduct at the Salzburg Festival, the first of many occasions, which led to a celebration of fifty years of artistic collaboration with the Austrian festival in 2020. In 1968, he became principal conductor of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a position he held until 1980. He first came to the attention of critics and the public in 1967, when he won the Guido Cantelli Conducting Competition, by unanimous vote of the jury, in Milan. He subsequently received a diploma in composition and conducting from the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan under the guidance of Bruno Bettinelli and Antonino Votto. In addition, his contributions to the cultural life of Chicago - with performances throughout its many neighborhoods and at Orchestra Hall - have made a lasting impact on the city.Д«orn in Naples, Riccardo Muti studied piano under Vincenzo Vitale at the Conservatory of San Pietro a Majella, graduating with distinction. MutiвЂ™s leadership has been distinguished by the strength of his artistic partnership with the Orchestra his dedication to performing great works of the past and present, including 13 world premieres to date the enthusiastic reception he and the CSO have received on national and international tours and eight recordings on the CSO Resound label, with three Grammy awards among them. In 2010, he became the 10th music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Riccardo Muti is one of the worldвЂ™s preeminent conductors.

Music medal of honor 2010