Sir Colin Davies tumbles at the ROH

The Royal Opera House was cleared last night as the venerable conductor fell as he approached the podium.

Sir Colin Davis was about to conduct Mozart's Magic Flute. While an ambulance was called, paramedics were not needed at the scene. As a precaution, David Syrus was called on to lead the night's performance.

Speaking to London's Evening Standard today, Sir Colin said: "I'm fine. I have had heart troubles. It's been a bad year on the whole, but I'm still abreast, so to speak"

The Royal Opera House echoed the conductor's fighting spirit by insisting Sir Colin would be back for the weekend's performance.