Eduardo Mata, the great Mexican maestro who guided the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to worldwide success, died at the controls of his private plane when it crashed near Mexico City.
Mata, 52, was killed Wednesday along with his companion, Marina Anaya, at the start of a flight to Dallas in Mata's twin-engine Piper Aerostar, according to a statement from the orchestra.Mata reported engine trouble shortly after his plane took off from the Cuernavaca airport. Five minutes later the plane lost power, crashed into the upper edge of a ravine and exploded, Mexican authorities said.
A Mexican aviation inspector told the Dallas Morning News that one of the engines failed.
Mata, renowned as one of Mexico's greatest maestros, was music director of the Dallas symphony for 16 years. He stepped down in 1993, becoming conductor emeritus.
"Mr. Mata leaves a rich heritage of musical accomplishment which has had a profound effect on the cultural life of this city," said symphony president Eugene Bonelli.
Mata joined the symphony in 1977 as it was beginning to emerge from a crushing financial collapse that had put it out of business for nine months.
Mata is survived by his ex-wife, Carmen, and two children, Roberto and Pilar.