Conductor Claudio Abbado, 80

Claudio Abbado, 80, a star in the great generation of Italian conductors who was revered by musicians in the world's leading orchestras for developing a strong rapport with them while still allowing them their independence, died Monday.

Mr. Abbado died at home in Bologna, Italy, after a long illness, said Raffaella Grimaudo, spokeswoman for the mayor's office.

Mr. Abbado made his debut in 1960 at La Scala in his home city of Milan and went on to be its music director for nearly 20 years. Among his many other stints were as music director of the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra and as principal guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Even as he battled illness in his later years, sharply cutting back on his appearances, Mr. Abbado founded his own all-star orchestra in Lucerne, Switzerland, and devoted more time to training young musicians and founding youth orchestras in Europe.

Just last year, Italy's president paid tribute to him by naming him senator for life. In an unusually personal message of condolences, President Giorgio Napolitano said Mr. Abbado had "honored the great musical tradition of our country in Europe and the rest of the world."

The Berlin Philharmonic, where Mr. Abbado was chief conductor from 1990 to 2002, said it was mourning "an extraordinary musician and person."

Mr. Abbado was known for his musical ability, for conducting his programs without scores, and for his rapport with orchestra members.

He had suffered health problems for many years, resigning his Vienna Opera post for unspecified health reasons in 1991 and then undergoing stomach cancer surgery in 2000.

La Scala said illness forced the cancellation of two highly anticipated concerts in 2010 that were to have marked his return to the Milan opera house for the first time in 25 years and be the 50th anniversary of his conducting debut.

Mr. Abbado was born June 26, 1933, into a family of musicians, studying with his violinist father, Michelangelo Abbado, at the Milan Conservatory in the 1950s.

He also studied composition and conducting and took cello and organ courses. He went on to study conducting in Vienna and in 1958 won the Koussevitsky Competition, bringing him to the attention of the Italian musical world.

Critics said Mr. Abbado had a special touch with orchestra members, giving them a degree of independence that assured their loyalty.

Mr. Abbado is survived by his second wife and four children.