Conductor Leonardo David has Died, Aged 43

The director of Brazil’s Espírito Santo Sesi Camerata Orchestra passed away in Rio de Janeiro from a heart attack

Originally a trained violinist, he completed his master’s degree with conductor André Cardoso at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro’s (UFRJ) School of Music.

From 2001 to 2008, David served as a professor of violin at Brazil’s Espírito Santo Music Conservatory — where he formed the school’s first orchestra. For more than 10 years, he served as director of the Espírito Santo Sesi Camerata Orchestra and was pivotal in gaining the ensemble's national attention. 

His past roles include conducting the National Symphonies of Paraguay, Bolivia, and El Salvador, as well as Brazil’s Recife, Paraíba, Sergipe, Bahia, and Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestras. He also served as assistant conductor of the Espírito Santo’s Philharmonic Orchestra.

“Leonardo David was a very dear colleague, a kind and caring person,” wrote fellow conductor André Cardoso. “He leaves a legacy of achievements for Espírito Santo's musical life, especially in front of Camerata Sesi, a group he directed for over a decade and which he transformed into one of the best and most active chamber orchestras in the country.”

Mr. David is survived by his wife and three children. Our condolences to his family, friends, students, and colleagues.