Daniel Barenboim

Daniel Barenboim (1942-), Argentinian born musician now an Israeli national, who came to fame as a pianist, but is now also prominent as a conductor. He is currently the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which he took up in 1991 following Georg Solti, and is also General Music Director of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, a position which he has held since 1992.

He was married to the cellist Jacqueline du Pré.

He has courted controversy with performances of Wagner in Israel, and he has also promoted links between Israel and Palestinians, for example in collaboration with the writer Edward Saïd[?]. He has given performances on the West Bank, and in Palestine.