One of the most important and most celebrated conductors of our time, Bernard Haitink was principal conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam from 1964 to 1988, principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1967 to 1979 and music director of the Glyndebourne Festival from 1978 to 1988. He was music director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London from 1987 to 2002 and music director of the European Youth Orchestra from 1994 to 1999. From 2002 to 2004 he was principal conductor of the Dresden Staatskapelle and from 1995 to 2005 principal guest conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

On 22nd September 2008 the Staatskapelle Dresden celebrated its 460th jubilee. Founded by Prince Elector Moritz von Sachsen in 1548, it is one of the oldest orchestras in the world and steeped in tradition. Over its long history, many distinguished conductors and internationally celebrated instrumentalists have left their mark on this one-time court orchestra. Previous directors include Heinrich Schütz, Johann Adolf Hasse, Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner, who called the ensemble his “miraculous harp”. The list of prominent conductors of the last 100 years includes Ernst von Schuch, Fritz Reiner, Fritz Busch, Karl Böhm, Joseph Keilberth, Rudolf Kempe, Otmar Suitner, Kurt Sanderling, Herbert Blomstedt and Giuseppe Sinopoli. The orchestra was directed by Bernard Haitink from 2002 to 2004 and most recently by Fabio Luisi from 2007 to 2010. Principal Conductor since the 2012/13 season has been Christian Thielemann.