Edo de Waart, born June 1, 1941, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a Dutch conductor who studied oboe, piano, and conducting at the Sweelinck Conservatory, graduating in 1962. After playing oboe with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, he won first prize at the Dimitri Mitropoulos International Music Competition in 1964, serving as an assistant conductor to Leonard Bernstein at the New York Philharmonic and later to Bernard Haitink at the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Known for his advocacy of contemporary classical music, de Waart conducted the world premiere of John Adams's opera Nixon in China and recorded works by Adams and Steve Reich. His leadership roles include serving as music director or chief conductor of the San Francisco Symphony (1977–1985), Minnesota Orchestra (1986–1995), Sydney Symphony Orchestra (1995–2004), Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (2004–2012), Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (2009–2017), and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (2016–2019). He was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia for his service to music.
