City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conductor Andris Nelsons has had to withdraw from the Dream of Gerontius concert on April 12 at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, due to the illness of his baby daughter.
The CBSO’s internationally-respected Music Director rushed home in the middle of a European tour last month to be at the bedside of his three-month-old girl Adriana after she fell seriously ill.
Mr Nelsons was called away from the orchestra just an hour before a show was due to start in Dortmund, on Friday March 23.
He will also miss the CBSO's Dream of Gerontius concert on April 14 at The Barbican, London.
A spokesman for the CBSO said: "We are very grateful to CBSO’s principal guest conductor Edward Gardner, who has agreed to conduct this performance on his behalf.
"Edward is the second member of the CBSO family to step in at this difficult time following on from associate conductor Michael Seal conducting the final concerts of our recent European tour and subsequent concerts.
"We wish Andris’ daughter a speedy recovery and we look forward to welcoming him back to Birmingham as soon as possible," he added.
"Tenor Toby Spence has also been forced to withdraw from these concerts due to illness. We’re grateful to Robert Murray for taking his place.
"We apologise for any disappointment caused by the change to this performance."
