Ed Spanjaard (Haarlem, 1948) is a prominent conductor and pianist renowned for his versatility across various music genres, from classical to contemporary. His production of Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen with the Nederlandse Reisopera received international acclaim. Spanjaard has collaborated with numerous orchestras and ensembles, building an impressive repertoire that includes operas by Puccini and Wagner, as well as many premieres of contemporary works. He has also conducted at prestigious events, such as the wedding of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. Recently, he led the Noord Nederlands Orkest and presented several new productions, including Smetana's Die verkaufte Braut.

In 2021, he was awarded the Royal Honorary Medal for Art and Science by King Willem-Alexander.