12 Facts About Christopher Keene

Christopher Keene's mother was of Acadian, German, and Scottish descent.

Christopher Keene's parents divorced in 1953 and his mother remarried to Jim San Jule in 1954 until their divorce in 1970.

Christopher Keene's mother remarried to biochemist Daniel E Koshland Jr.

Christopher Keene remained associated with the Spoleto Festival for many years, serving as Music Director there from 1972 to 1976.

From 1969 to 1971 Christopher Keene was Music Director of Eliot Feld's American Ballet Company.

In 1969, Christopher Keene joined the staff of the New York City Opera, where he debuted the following year with Ginastera's Don Rodrigo.

In 1976 Christopher Keene conducted the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Hero for the Opera Company of Philadelphia.

Christopher Keene conducted at the Metropolitan Opera during a single season, a double-bill of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci in 1971.

Christopher Keene was Founder of the Long Island Philharmonic in 1979, and directed it until 1990.

Christopher Keene had undergone treatment for alcoholism at the Betty Ford Center, and died of lymphoma resulting from AIDS, at New York Hospital.

Christopher Keene was seen over PBS conducting The Consul and Vanessa from Spoleto USA, and Frank Corsaro's City Opera productions of Madama Butterfly and Carmen.

Christopher Keene's discography includes the first recording of Philip Glass' Satyagraha, and John Corigliano's score to Ken Russell's film, Altered States.