Rostropovich wins Peabody Medal

Mstislav Rostropovich, the world-renowned cellist, conductor and human rights activist, will receive the George Peabody Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Music, the highest honor the Peabody Conservatory can bestow.

The Russian-born Rostropovich will receive the medal at Friedberg Hall Thursday during the intermission of an all-Russian program by the Peabody Symphony Orchestra. The program will be conducted by Leon Fleisher and feature piano soloist Stephen Prutsman.

Rostropovich, who is in his last year as the music director of Washington's National Symphony, will spend the earlier part of the day rehearsing the Peabody Camerata and several Peabody cast members for the world premiere performances of the chamber opera, "Ligeia," at the Evian Festival in France.

George Peabody Medals will also be presented to basso Jerome Hines and jazz pianist Billy Taylor at Peabody's commencement ceremonies May 26.