Sir Mark Elder was Music Director of the Hallé from 2000 – 2024 and is now Conductor Emeritus. He became Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2022. Previous positions held by Sir Mark include Music Director of English National Opera (1979-1993), Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra (1982-1985) and of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1992 – 1995) and Music Director of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, USA (1989 – 1994). He was Artistic Director of Opera Rara from 2011 – 2019 for whom his many recordings included for whom recording projects have included Donizetti’s Dom Sebastien, Imelda di Lambertazzi, Linda di Chamounix, Maria di Rohan, a multi award winning releases of Les Martyrs and Rossini’s Semiramide. Since September 2025, Sir Mark has been the Music Director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia.

Sir Mark Elder was appointed a Companion of Honour in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours, was knighted in 2008 and awarded the CBE in 1989. He won an Olivier Award in 1991 for his outstanding work at ENO and in May 2006 he was named Conductor of the Year by the Royal Philharmonic Society.  In 2011, Sir Mark was awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Highlights of Sir Mark's 2026-27 season include Lohengrin and Simon Boccanegra at the Palau de les Arts, semi-staged performances of Bizet's L'arlésienne with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Elgar's Symphony No. 1 with the Chicago Symphony, Brahms Symphony No. 3 with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and Verdi Requiem with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Sir Mark will also perform MacMillan's Christmas Oratorio and Strauss's Ein Heldenleben with the Hallé and Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Elgar's Dream of Gerontius with the Bergen Philharmonic.