Pianist and conductor of Russian Jewish descent, born in Argentina, but also citizen of Israel, Palestine, and Spain. The current general music director of the Berlin State Opera (from 1992) and the Staatskapelle Berlin, Barenboim previously served as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1991-2006), the Orchestre de Paris (1975-1989) and La Scala in Milan. Barenboim is known for his work with the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra, a Seville-based orchestra of young Arab and Israeli musicians, and as a resolute critic of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Notable recordings as a conductor include the complete symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Schubert, and Schumann; the Da Ponte operas of Mozart; numerous operas by Wagner, including the complete Ring Cycle; and various concertos.
