Doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital said Friday they know why Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti fell during a rehearsal last week, and they've implanted a standard pacemaker to help insure it does not happen again.
The 69-year-old Muti suffered a jaw and facial fractures when he fell from the podium Feb. 3, andhas been hospitalized since then
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Cardiologist Bradley Knight said Friday that Muti fainted because of a common heart rhythm disturbance, but has superb heart function overall. Knight said the pacemaker should correct the problem.
Deborah Rutter, president of the CSO Association, said she has been in daily contact with Muti and hopes he can return to the podium soon.
Other conductors have filled in for Muti during the CSO's winter concert series.
