Conductor Daniel Barenboim says he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
Conductor Daniel Barenboim says he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The 82-year-old issued a statement Thursday on Instagram.
He has appeared more frail since 2022, canceling scheduled performances that included a new production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Berlin.
“I am planning to maintain as many of my professional commitments as my health permits,” he wrote. “As ever, I consider the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra my most important responsibility. It is essential for me to ensure the orchestra’s long-term stability and development. I will continue to conduct the Divan whenever my health allows me to. At the same time, I will take an active role in ensuring that the Divan has the opportunity of working with excellent conductors going forward. I have been navigating this new reality of mine and my focus is on receiving the best available care.”
A child prodigy pianist who made his Carnegie Hall debut at 1957 at age 14. Barenboim has been chief conductor of the Orchestre de Paris (1975-89) and music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1991-2006) and Milan’s Teatro alla Scala (2011-14) and general music director of the Berlin State Opera (1992-2023).
He founded the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra with academic Edward Said in 1999 to promote understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.