American conductor Marin Alsop, 67, was named Tuesday as principal guest conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra for a three-year term beginning in the 2024-2025 season. She succeeds Frenchwoman Nathalie Stutzmann in this position.
After appointing a then virtually unknown conductor three years ago, at least at the head of orchestras of this level, the Philadelphia Orchestra, embodied by its musical director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and its president and CEO, Matías Tarnopolsky, chooses the symbol and the opposite profile: Marin Alsop.
In the press release accompanying the appointment announced Monday, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, calling for a “bold and inclusive” future, underlines the “fame” of Marin Alsop, “torch bearer” who has “inspired generations of young business leaders.” orchestra to pursue their dreams.
To delegate
Above all, it seems that Yannick Nézet-Séguin wanted to perpetuate and solidify a partnership with a female chef. As such, he chose undoubtedly the most emblematic chef, who in some way launched and inspired the movement for the rise of women in this profession and whose fame will allow her to sometimes even delegate important tasks. Thus, we immediately learn that Marin Alsop “will conduct the orchestra during multiple subscription concerts, special events, summer residencies and national and international tours, starting with a tour of China in 2024” .
Mme Alsop has already conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra 32 times since 1990. Last season, she replaced Yannick Nézet-Séguin in The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky at Carnegie Hall before leading the orchestra’s second “Pride Concert”, an evening of works by LGBTQ+ composers, a community whose conductor is a personality in the musical world.
A student of Leonard Bernstein, of whom she recorded a good number of works, Marin Alsop was principally conductor of the Saint-Louis Orchestra (1994-1996), the Bournemouth Orchestra (2002-2008), the Orchestra of São Paulo (2012-2019), the Baltimore Orchestra (2007-2021) and the Vienna Radio, a current contract which binds her until 2025. By becoming musical director of the Orchestra Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Alsop became the first woman to hold such a position in the United States.
On his appointment, Marin Alsop said: “The Philadelphia Orchestra is committed to changing the future of classical music. I am proud to join this exceptional organization. »
Before taking up her new position in Philadelphia, Alsop, although little known for her intrusions into the opera world, will make her debut at the Metropolitan Opera, directing a new production ofEl Niño by John Adams.