Born in 1942, Daniel Barenboim was first taught by his parents and made his debut in Buenos Aires when he was seven. In 1951 the family moved to Europe where he played at the Salzburg Mozarteum, and thence to Israel. He made his British debut in 1955 and his American debut two years later. Meanwhile he began an international career as a conductor. He was appointed director of the Berlin State Opera in 1993, and has conducted at the Bayeuth Festival since1987.