Baltimore – Marin Alsop was appointed music director of the
Baltimore Symphony today, overcoming vigorous dissent by its
musicians and becoming the first woman to head a major American
orchestra.
An “overwhelming” majority of the orchestra’s board voted for
the appointment, said chairman Philip English.
“We appreciate the participation of the Baltimore Symphony
Orchestra and those musicians on the search committee,” English
said. “We held their opinions in high regard and know they will
concur and rally around this decision.”
English said Alsop had accepted the position and was expected to
sign a contract soon. He did not release details of the contract.
The musicians, who had been in rehearsal while the board was
voting, said they were disappointed by what they called the
“premature conclusion of the search process.”
“However, this will not dampen our enthusiasm and zest for
music-making,” said Jane Marvine, an English horn player and
chairwoman of a committee that represents the orchestra in
contractual talks with management.
“We’ll work together with Marin Alsop and every conductor to
present the inspiring performance our audience has come to
expect.”
Other musicians met the news with silence, some said. The only
ones inclined to speak about the appointment were the few who
supported Alsop.
“I think Marin is a top-notch conductor and we’re lucky to have
her,” said Mary Bisson, who plays third horn. “I really don’t
understand the negative reaction. I’m delighted she’s coming.”
Another supporter, Ellen Orner, a first violinist, described
herself as “one of the very few musicians who are happy.”
Orner said she thinks Alsop will bring stability. “And I think
management has a workable plan that includes Marin.”
Julia Kirchhausen, a spokeswoman for the American Symphony
Orchestra League, said that while women conductors have headed
orchestras before, Alsop’s appointment marks the first time a woman
has headed one of the size or status of the Baltimore Symphony
Orchestra.
Alsop, a 48-year-old American who is principal conductor at the
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Britain, will succeed Yuri
Temirkanov, who is stepping down at the end of next season.
In recent years, Alsop has been lauded while working as a guest
conductor with symphonies around the world.
When she was appointed in Bournemouth, she became the first
woman to direct a major British orchestra. Before that, she was
music director for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for 12 years.
The daughter of professional classical musicians, Alsop studied
violin at the Juilliard School of Music. She trained as a conductor
under Leonard Bernstein.
Deborah Borda, president of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has
told The New York Times that the appointment “would be a great
leap forward and a significant moment in American musical
history.”
