Freeman's Chicago farewell

Paul Freeman, the Richmond native who became the most prominent African-American conductor of his generation, steps down from the Chicago Sinfonietta, the orchestra he founded 24 years ago.

The 75-year-old Freeman, who has been in declining health, is honorary chief conductor of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra in Prague, which he led from 1996 to 2006.

The Chicago Tribune’s John von Rhein reviews an emotion-packed Chicago Sinfonietta concert celebrating Freeman:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-live-0525-sinfonietta-review-20110524,0,7726283.column