Zubin Mehta
Conductor. During his 13 year tenure as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta conducted more than 1000 concerts and held the post longer than any music director in the Orchestra's recent history. In 1981, he was appointed Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He appears as guest conductor with the world's major orchestras and opera companies, including the London, Vienna, and Berlin Philharmonics, the Royal Opera Covent Garden, and the Vienna Staatsoper. The numerous honors bestowed on him include the Vienna Philharmonic Ring of Honor and the Hans von Bulow medal. Zubin Mehta is the only non-Israeli ever to receive the Israel Prize.