Sir Mark Philip Elder (1947-), Conductor; music director, Hallé Orchestra

Sitter in 1 portrait
Conductor. After attending Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Elder began his career at the Wexford Festival (1969-70). He was appointed Music Director of the English National Opera in 1979 and until 1993 oversaw many successful productions with Peter Jonas and David Pountney, a trio known as the 'Power House'. Since 2000 has helped restore high critical standards as the Music Director of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester and was awarded a CBE in 1989. In April 2007 Elder was one of eight conductors to endorse a scheme to ensure every child can experience a free live orchestral performance during their school career.