In 1990 the Staatskapelle Dresden elected Sir Colin Davis to become the first – and until today only – conductor laureate in the orchestra’s history. Born in the British town of Weybridge in 1927, Sir Colin initially studied clarinet at London’s Royal College of Music before turning to a career in conducting. In 1959 he became principal conductor, and shortly after music director, of Sadler’s Wells Opera London (today’s English National Opera). From 1967 to 1971 chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, he was later in charge of London’s Royal Opera House Covent Garden until 1986. From 1983 to 1993 Sir Colin directed the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and in 1995 was appointed to the post of principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. Since 2007 he has been that ensemble’s president. In 1977 he was invited to Bayreuth to direct a production of »Tannhäuser«, thereby becoming the first British conductor to appear at the festival. The benchmark recordings of Berlioz made by Sir Colin Davis in the 1960s led to a widescale revival of that composer’s reputation. In 1980 he received a knighthood from the British Queen. Numerous highlights of his almost 30-year collaboration with the Staatskapelle are documented on CD; the most recent release was a highly praised recording of Edward Elgar’s Violin Concerto performed by soloist Nikolaj Znaider (Sony Music).