Haitink, Bernard Johan Herman (1929– )

Dutch conductor. A noted interpreter of the music of Gustav Mahler and Dmitri Shostakovitch, he is known for his strong character and attention to detail. He was musical director at Glyndebourne 1978–88 and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 1987–2002.

Haitink was associated with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam, from 1956 (appointed permanent conductor in 1964), and the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1967. He became principal conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2006.