(Johann Herman), eminent Dutch conductor; b. Amsterdam, March 4, 1929. Haitink studied violin at the Amsterdam Conservatory, then played in the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1954-55 he attended the conducting course of FERDINAND LEITNER, sponsored by the Netherlands Radio. In 1955, he was appointed to the post of second conductor of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, becoming its principal conductor in 1957. In 1956 he made his first appearance as a guest conductor with the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam.

Haitink made his U.S. debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in 1958. In 1959 he conducted the Concertgebouw Orchestra in England, of which, in 1961, he became co-principal conductor. That same year he led it on a tour of the U.S., followed by one to Japan in 1962. In 1964 he became chief conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra, a position he held with great distinction until 1988. In 1967, Haitink also assumed the post of principal conductor and artistic adviser of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, serving as its artistic director from 1969 to 1978.

Haitink made his first appearance at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1972, and from 1978 to 1988 was its music director. In 1987 he became music director of the Royal Opera House at London's Covent Garden. He also appeared as a guest conductor with the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, N.Y. Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, and Cleveland Orchestra. In 1982 he led the Concertgebouw Orchestra on a transcontinental tour of the U.S.

As a conductor, Haitink does not impose his own personality on a work, but still achieves colorful readings. Especially fine are his performances of the symphonies of ANTON BRUCKNER and GUSTAV MAHLER, but he is equally comfortable conducting the CLASSICAL repertoire. He has received numerous international honors. In 1972 he was named a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France. He was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.