Sir Mark Elder

Sir Mark Philip Elder, CH, CBE (born 2 June 1947) is a British conductor. He is the music director of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, England.

Elder was born in Hexham, Northumberland, the son of a dentist. He played the bassoon when in primary school, and at Bryanston School, Dorset, where he was one of the foremost musicians (bassoon and keyboards) of his generation. He attended Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he studied music and was a choral scholar. He later became a protégé of Sir Edward Downes and gained experience conducting Verdi operas in Australia, at the Sydney Opera House.

Elder and his wife Mandy have a daughter, Katie.

From 1979 to 1993, Elder was the music director of English National Opera (ENO). He was known as part of the "Power House" team that also included general director Peter Jonas and artistic director David Pountney, and which gave ENO several very successful years of productions. Elder has also served as principal guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1992–1995) and music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (1989–1994). He has also held positions as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra (1982–1985) and the London Mozart Players (1980–1983).

Elder was appointed music director of the Hallé Orchestra in 1999. His first concert as music director was in October 2000.

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