Simonov, Yuri (1941– )

Russian conductor. He studied at the Leningrad Conservatory, and conducted the Kislovodsk Philharmonic Orchestra (1967–69). From 1969 he appeared at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, making his debut with Aïda; he was chief conductor there between 1970 and 1978. In 1975 he led the Bolshoi company in New York at the Metropolitan Opera House, with War and Peace. He made his London debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1982, with Eugene Onegin, and he was guest conductor with many British orchestras. He led the first performance of Shchedrin's ballet Anna Karenina, in 1972.