John Nelson (1941–2025)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of GRAMMY Award-winning conductor John Nelson, one of America’s most eminent musicians and one of the leading interpreters of the music of Hector Berlioz. Over a remarkable five-decade career, he conducted the world’s foremost orchestras and opera houses, serving as Music Director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, amongst others.
In recent years, John’s landmark recordings of the large-scale works of Berlioz (Warner Classics/Erato) garnered multiple accolades and universal acclaim, serving to cement his legacy as one of the preeminent Berlioz specialists of his generation.
A deeply respected artist, mentor, and particular champion of sacred and operatic repertoire, John’s unwavering dedication to music will be profoundly missed – and above all else his warmth, humanity, and generosity of spirit will be remembered by all those who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
