Antonia Brico-Marin Alsop - Susan's

Antonia Louisa Brico was born in Rotterdam, Holland in 1902, of Dutch and Italian parentage. Her mother, Antonia Shaaken, was in her teens and unmarried. · She ... FleetArchives WOMENWHODARED Archives-2008 MzDixie-AnatCohen TerriLyneCarrington DoriotAnthonyDwyer SweetheartsofRhythm ToshikoAkiyoshi EdnaWhite MelbaListon Archives-2009-2010 LilHardin EvelynGlennie ReginaCarter MaudPowell AntoniaBrico-MarinAlsop DIVA&MariachiReyna LaureFrink Contact AntoniaBrico-MarinAlsop MoreWomenConductors TWOCONDUCTORS:ANTONIABRICOandMARINALSOP AntoniaBrico(1902-1989) Conductor,pianist,musiceducator Thefirstfemaleconductortoachieve internationalfame "You'reeitherbornamusicianoryou'rebornnotamusician.Ithasnothingtodowithgender." --AntoniaBrico   MarinAlsop(1956--    ) Conductor,violinist,musiceducator ThefirstfemaleMusicDirectorofamajor U.S.orchestra(BaltimoreSymphony) "MarinAlsopisoneofthefinestconductorsontheplanet."--Britishmusiccritic ANTONIABRICO1902--1919 ADIFFICULTCHILDHOOD AntoniaLouisaBricowasborninRotterdam,Hollandin1902,ofDutchandItalianparentage.Hermother,AntoniaShaaken,wasinherteensandunmarried.Herfather,JohannesBrico,wasapianist.AbandonedbyherloverandshunnedbyherCatholicfamily,ShaakenputherbabyinfostercarewithMr.andMrs.JohnWolthuis.WhenShaakenlatertriedtogetherdaughterback,Mr.andMrs.WolthuistookthechildandfledtotheUnitedStates.[1A] In1907,theysettledinOakland,CA,whereAntoniaattendedschoolasWilhelminaWolthuis,thenameherfosterparentshadgivenher.TheWolthuishomewasnotahappyone.Becauseofherfostermother'sfrequentbeatingsandscoldings,Wilhelminawasananxiouschildandbeganbitingherfingernails.[2A]Shelatersaid:“I’ddreamabouthavinganautomobileaccidentinfrontofsomeone’shousejustsothey’dpickmeupandbeaffectionate.”[6A] Shebeganpianolessonsatage10whenadoctorsuggestedthisremedytoovercomehernailbiting.Soonshewasperformingatlocalchurchesandclubmeetings.HerdreamofbecomingaconcertpianistchangedwhensheattendedaconcertconductedbyPaulSteindorff.Ratherthanlimitherselftooneinstrument,shedecidedtobecomeaconductor.Shelatersaid:“Theorchestratomeisthegreatestinstrument.Itistothemusicianwhatthepaletteistoapainter.”[2A] Afterherhighschoolgraduationin1919,Mr.andMrs.Wolthuisrevealedtheywerenotherbirthparents.Antoniamovedoutandhadnofurthercontactwiththem.[2A] 1907Prices  Bread:.05/loaf   Milk:.31/gallon Car:$500           House:$4,500 AverageIncome:$897/year PresidentTheodoreRoosevelt  Hottoy:TeddyBear TopBooks:TheHouseofMirth,EdithWharton;TheSecretAgent,JosephConrad ClassicalMusicPremiers:BriggsFair(FrederickDelius);SymphonyofaThousand--#8(GustavMahler);PompandCircumstance(SirEdwardElgar) AmyMarcyBeach(1867-1944)wasrecognizedasaseriouscomposeraftertheBostonSymphonypremieredherGaelicSymphony(1896);andPianoConcertoinC-sharpminor,(1899)withBeachassoloist.   MARINALSOP 1956--1973BORNWITHAJOB   Born54yearsafterAntoniaBrico,MarinAlsopwasborninNewYorkCityin1956.Herparents,RuthandLaMarAlsop,wereprofessionalmusicians.LaMar,aviolinist,wasconcertmasteroftheNYCBalletOrchestra.Ruthplayedcellointhesameorchestra. “Iwasbornwithajob!”Marinsays.“Myparents...couldneverimaginealifefortheirchildthatwasnotfilledwithmusic!”[1M] Shebeganpianolessonsatage2andviolinstudiesat5.Atage7sheenteredthePre-CollegeDivisionatJulliard.Foratimeduringherteensshestudiedclassicalguitar.Whenshewas9,herfathertookhertoaLeonardBernsteinYoungPeople’sconcert.Itchangedherlife. “Thatwasitforme.IabsolutelyknewthatIwantedtobecomeaconductorandneverchangedmymind.”[1M].Hermusicteachersdiscouragedher.Herparentsdidnot.Theygaveherasetofhomemadebatons.Herfatherhasmadeallherbatonseversince.[2M] Marintalksaboutthisat http://www.marinalsop.com/media/ scrolldowntoFirstWomanconductorofaMajorAmericanOrchestra Sheenteredhighschoolat12(TheMastersSchool)andin1972,attheageof16,shematriculatedatYaleUniversity(classof1977).In1975shetransferredtoJulliard,tomajorinviolinperformance.[1M] 1956Prices Bread:$0.18/loaf  Milk:$0.97/gal Car:$2,100  Gas:$0.31/gal House:$17,800 Averageincome:$5,341/year President:DwightD.Eisenhower  TopBooks:UndertheNet,IrisMurdoch;NotesofaNativeSon,JamesBaldwin ClassicalMusicPremiers:Candide,LeonardBernstein;NewEnglandTryptych,WilliamH.Schumann;TheBalladofBabyDoe,DouglasMoore BebeBarronandherhusbandLouiscomposedthefirstelectronicmusicalscoreforfilm:ForbiddenPlanet(1956) [7M] ANTONIABRICO1919--1932 APASSIONTOCONDUCT AntoniaenrolledattheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeley.Asluckwouldhaveit,PaulSteindorff,themanwhohadinspiredherconductingambitions,wasdirectorofmusicand,moreimportantly,directoroftheSanFranciscoOpera.Antoniabecamehisassistant.[4A] WhenshereceivedaB.A.withhonorsinmusicin1923,peopleadvisedhertoteach.Conductingwasnojobforawoman,theysaid.Butherambitionneverwavered.[10A]Sheofficiallyreclaimedherbirthname,AntoniaBrico,movedtoNewYorkCityandstudiedpianowithSigismondStojowskifortwoyears.In1926shemovedtoHamburg,Germany. KarlMuck,formerconductoroftheBostonSymphony,ledtheHamburgPhilharmonic.Armedwithaletterofintroduction,shepersuadedhimtobecomehermentor.Sheservedashisapprenticeforfouryears.AtthesametimesheattendedtheconductingmasterclassattheBerlinStateAcademyofMusic,andbecameitsfirstAmericangraduatein1927.[2A] Butherpersonallifewasinturmoil.AntoniawenttoHollandtoreunitewithherbirthfamilyandfellinlovewithanunclewhowasnineyearshersenior.Theiraffaircausedascandal.Riddledwithguilt,herunclebrokeofftheaffairandreturnedtohissuicidalex-wife.[1A]   In1930shemadeherconductingdebutwiththeBerlinPhilharmonic,thefirstwomanevertoleadthatorchestra.Ofherperformance,theAllgemeineZeitungcriticsaid:“MissBricodisplayedunmistakableandoutstandinggiftsasaconductor.Shepossessesmoreability,clevernessandmusicianshipthancertainofhermalecolleagueswhoboreusinBerlin."[4A] Laterthatyear,sheguest-conductedtheLosAngelesPhilharmonicandtheSanFranciscoSymphony.Afteratwo-yeartourofEuropeconductingconcertswithorchestrasinGermany,LatviaandPoland,shereturnedtotheUnitedStatesin1932andsettledinNewYorkCity.  MARINALSOP 1975--1990 MORESTUDY,EARLYPRIZES     AfterearningaBachelorofMusicDegreein1977andaMaster’sDegreein1978fromJulliard,bothinviolinperformance,Marinfreelancedasaviolinist.SheperformedwiththeNYPhilharmonic,theNYCBallet,NYChamberSymphony,andtheAmericanComposersOrchestra.ShealsoplayedBroadwayshows(SweeneyTodd,ShowBoat)andrecorddates,playingfilmscores,popalbumsandTVcommercials,whichdeepenedherfamiliaritywithAmericanpopularmusic. In1979shebeganconductingstudieswithCarlBamberger.Eagertoexplorealltypesofmusic,in1981sheorganizeda10pieceall-stringswingband,StringFever.In1984shefoundedtheConcordiaOrchestra,whichperformedjazzandcontemporaryrepertoireintheNewYorkCityarea.Atthetime,Marinsaid,playingjazz"hasbeentremendousformyconducting."    ShecontinuedherconductingstudieswithHaroldFarbermanin1985.Threeyearslater,in1988herhardworkpaidoff.ShewasappointedAssociateConductoroftheRichmond(VA)Symphony.ShethenwonaLeonardBernsteinConductingFellowshiptoTanglewood,whereshestudiedwithLeonardBernstein,GustavMeierandSeijiOzawa.ShewasalsoaprizewinnerintheStokowskiConductingCompetitionwiththeAmericanSymphonyOrchestrainNYC.[1M]  In1989shewasappointedMusicDirectoroftheEugene(Oregon)SymphonyandtheLongIslandPhilharmonic,postssheheldforsevenyears.ReturningtoTanglewoodin1989,shewasawardedtheKoussevitskyConductingPrize,thefirstandonlywomanawardedthathonor.In1990sheguest-conductedthePhiladelphiaOrchestraandtheLosAngelesPhilharmonic.[1M]  ANTONIABRICO 1932--1940 BORN50YEARSTOOSOON! InJanuary1933AntoniamadeherNYCconductingdebutwiththeMusicians’SymphonyOrchestraattheMetropolitanOperaHouse.ThePictorialReviewcriticwrote:“WithonlythreerehearsalsMissBricomadethatorchestraplayasithadneverplayedbefore.”[2A]Shewashiredtoconductasecondconcert,butwasdeniedathirdwhenthetenorsoloist,JohnCharlesThomas,refusedtoperformwithafemaleconductor,fearingthiswouldtakeattentionawayfromhim.[5A] In1934shefoundedtheNewYorkWomen’sSymphony.Shewanted“toprovethatwomencouldplayinanypartofthesymphony--theycanplayequallywellthetrombone,theflute,theoboeortheFrenchhorn.”[8A]WithsupportfromEleanorRooseveltandNYCMayorFiorelloLaGuardia,theyplayedtheirfirstseasonin1935,garneringexcellentreviews. RenamedtheBricoSymphonyOrchestraforits1938-1939season,thegroupaddedmalemusiciansbutwasforcedtodisbandafteroneseasonduetofinancialdifficulties. Photoatright:Antoniain1938withMayorLaGuardia(left)andSanFranciscoMayorAngeloRossi(right) In1936,sheconductedthepremierofElinorRemickWarren'sTheHarpWeaverinCarnegieHall.Butlackingapermanentconductingjob,shehadtoteachtosupportherself.ForatimethechildprodigypianistandcomposerPhillippaSchuylerwasherpupil.   Thencameaplumassignment.In1938AntoniabecamethefirstwomantoconducttheNewYorkPhilharmonicOrchestrainaconcertatLewisohnStadium.TheSibeliusSymphony#1wasontheprogram.WhileinEurope,shehadcontrivedtomeetSibelius,whobecamehermentor.Herpassionforhismusicledhimtodeclarehertheonlyconductorwhointerpretedhisworkasheintendedittobeperformed.[1A]  TheNYTimescriticpraisedherinterpretationoftheSibeliuswhich“...broughtoneofthemostspontaneousandsustainedoutburstsofapprovaloftheStadiumseason.”Thereviewwentontopraisethe“life,colorandsanityofherreadings [whichwere]expressedwitheffectiveverveandintensity.”[7A]Despitesuchpositivereviews,apermanentconductingjobintheUnitedStatescontinuedtoeludeher.AcommentmadetoherbeforeherNYPhilharmonicdebutistelling:Mrs.CharlesGuggenheimer,awealthysocialite,said,"It'sadisgracethatawomanisconductingthisvenerableorchestra."[4A] ArthurJudson,whomanagedtheNYPhilharmonicandthePhiladelphiaOrchestra,toldAntonia,"Allthosefemalesintheaudiencewanttoseeamaleconducting.Brico,youwereborn50yearstoosoon."[4A] MARINALSOP1992--2004 HONORSANDACCOLADES      In1992MarinwasappointedMusicDirectoroftheCabrilloFestivalofContemporaryMusic(SantaCruz,CA).Underherdirection,thefestivalwontheASCAPAwardforAdventurousProgrammingofContemporaryMusic.HerEuropeandebutcamein1993attheSchleswigHolsteinMusicFestival,conductingthemusicofhermentor,LeonardBernstein. ThatyearshewasappointedMusicDirectoroftheColoradoSymphony.Underherdirection,theCSOwonASCAP’sfirstprizeforprogrammingin1996/97and1999/2000.In1999shebecamePrincipalGuestConductoroftheRoyalScottishNationalOrchestra(Glasgow)andbeganrecordingthecompleteworksofSamuelBarber(a6-CDseries)forNaxos.[1M] Anewcenturybroughtmorehonors.ShebecameamajorstarinEnglandwhentheBournemouthSymphonyOrchestraappointedherPrincipalConductorforthe2002/03season.Ofherconducting,TheLondonTimessaid,“Alsop...madeherorchestraplayliketherewasnotomorrow.” In2003shewonGramophoneMagazine’sArtistoftheYearawardandtheRoyalPhilharmonicSociety’sConductorAward,thefirstartistevertowinbothmajorawardsinoneyear.In2004shebeganrecordingaBrahmscycleforNaxoswiththeLondonPhilharmonicOrchestra.ShealsoledthefirstmajorUSrevivalofAdam’sNixoninChinawiththeOperaTheaterofSt.Louis,andasemi-stagedproductionofBernstein’sCandidewiththeNYPhilharmonic.SeeMarinconductJohnAdamsShortRideinaFastMachine AlsopconductsAdams ANTONIABRICO1940--1971 AWOMANWITHOUTANINSTRUMENT In1940,AntoniavisitedDenver,Colorado.JeanCranmer,whosehusbandhaddesignedDenver'smountainparksystem,gaveheratourofoneoftheparks.TheDenverPostranalargephotoofAntoniaonthefrontpage. LaterthatyearshewasinvitedtoguestconducttheDenverSymphonyOrchestra.AwarethattheDSOwassearchingforafulltimeconductor,shemadeapointoftellingCranmerandotherinfluentialDenveritesabouthertiestoMuckandSibelius,andherfabledmeetingswithcomposersIgorStravinskyandRichardStrauss. TheDSOboardinvitedhertoguestconducttheDSOinBrahm'sGermanRequiumafewmonthslater.BelievingshehadmadethenecessarycontactstowinapermanentconductingpostwiththeDSO,AntoniamovedhermusicstudiotoDenverandrentedanearbyapartment. Butin1945,theDSOboardawardedtheconductingposttoSaulCaston,associateconductorofthePhiladelpiaOrchestraunderEugeneOrmandy.AnnPapp,whohadreviewedBrico'sconcertswiththeDSOfortheRockyMountainNews,said,"BricowasfarbetterqualifiedthanCaston,butpersonalitywasafactor.Shewasextremelyintelligentandhadawonderfulsenseofhumor....Butshecouldbeabrasive,evendictorialattimes."[1A]   Europewasmoreappreciativeofhertalents.AfterWWIIendedin1946,sheconductedconcertsinSweden,AustriaandHolland.AtSirAdrianBolt'sinvitation,sheledtheLondonPhilharmonicinaRoyalAlbertHallconcert.ComposerJanSebeliusdeemedher"aconductorofflameandfire"andinvitedhertoconductanall-SibeliusconcertinHelsinki,Finland.[2A] In1947agroupofamateurmusiciansinvitedhertoleadtheDenverBusinessmen’sOrchestra,theonlypermanentconductingpostAntoniaeverheld.From1947until1981,sheledtheorchestrainfiveperformanceseachyear.Throughoutthe1950sand1960sshetoiledinobscurityinDenver.In1967themusiciansrenamedtheorchestratheBricoSymphonyinherhonor.Althoughsheappreciatedthis,itmusthavebeencoldcomforttoawomanwhohadwonravereviewsforconductingtheBerlinPhilharmonicandotherEuropeanorchestras.   MARINALSOP 2005:ABANNERYEAR...ANDASOURNOTE     In2005,MarinAlsopwasawardedaprestigiousMacArthurFellowship,giventoUSresidentsinrecognitonofexceptionalcreativework,theonlyonlyconductortoreceivetheaward.[1M]ShealsomadehistoryasthefirstfemaletobeappointedMusicDirectorofamajorU.S.orchestra.HerjobwiththeBaltimoreSymphonyOrchestrawouldbeginin2007. Aftertheannouncement,theBSOplayers'committeeissuedastatementexpressingtheirdisappointmentatthe"prematureconclusionofthemusic-directorsearchprocess."ArticlesintheNewYorkTimesandWashingtonPostpraisedAlsop'saccomplishmentswithotherorchestrasintheUSandEurope,butraisedthegenderissue.[4M]Marinreleasedastatementsaying,"IlookforwardtomakingmusicwiththeexceptionalmusiciansoftheBaltimoreSymphonyOrchestra."ShethencalledforaprivatemeetingwiththeorchestraandflewtoBaltimore. Atarehearsalshepresentedhervisionforthefuture.Themusicianswereintriguedbyherambitiousplanstoreinvigoratetheorchestra.[2M]Atthattimetheorchestrawasmiredindebt,hadnotissuedanewrecordinginalmostadecadeandoftenplayedtohalf-emptyhouses.[2M]   BroadcastliveonXMsatelliteradio,herinauguralconcertasMusicDirectoroftheBaltimoreSymphonyin2007wonglowingreviews.Herinnovativeapproachoftellingconcert-goersaboutthecompositiontobeplayedandinvitingprominentcomposerstodiscusstheirmusicwonherenthusiasticaudiences.[2M]  ShequicklygainedrapportwiththeBaltimoremusicians,whofoundherenergyandenthusiasmcontagious.Theorchestramadeitsfirstrecordingsince1999.TheirfirstAlsop-ledCDhitthetopoftheBillboardClassicalMusicchartwhenitwasreleasedin2007.[2M]ThatyeartheBaltimoreSymphonyannounceda16%increaseinnewsubscriptionsalesoverthepreviousyear,andamorethan40%increaseover2005.[1M] ANTONIABRICO1971--1989 YEARSOFOBSCURITY, BRIEFSHININGMOMENTS    Atright:Antoinaconductsthe BricoSymphonyinDenver   In1971,folksingerJudyCollinsdecidedtofilmadocumentaryaboutAntonia.AsaDenverteenager,Collinshadstudiedpianowithherandin1952performedaspianosoloistwithBrico’sDenverBusinessman'sOrchestra.AlthoughCollins'latersuccesscameinadifferentareaofmusic,thetwowomenremainedclose. [6A]   “Antonia:APortraitoftheWoman,”co-producedbyCollinsandJillGodmilow,wasreleasedin1974.CriticMarjorieRosencalledit"anextraordinaryportraitofanextraordinarywoman...apioneerfemaleorchestraconductor...anartistandfeminist....[Thefilmis]avisionofoptimismandcourage[thatdefines]alifeofbrilliantbutthwartedpromise.[It]isdisturbingbecauseitdetailsbrilliancemisused;brillianceregardedasnovelty.Butultimatelyit'supliftingbecauseoptimismandcommitmentandcourage...haveawayofrenewingandintoxicatingus."[6A] ThefilmdemonstratesBrico’sindomitablewill,unshakabledeterminationandsenseofhumor,butinonepoignantsceneshelaments:“Ihavefiveperformancesayear,butI’mstrongenoughtohavefiveamonth! It’slikegivingastarvingpersonapieceofbread.”[6A] ThefilmwoncriticalacclaimandanAcademyAwardnomination,whichbrieflyrevitalizedBrico’scareer.Duringthe1975-76seasonsheconductedtwoconcertsattheMostlyMozartFestivalinNewYorkCity,heronlyperformancespreservedonrecord(seediscography).Sheguest-conductedconcertswiththeNationalSymphonyattheKennedyCenter,theDenverandSeattlesymphonies,theAmericanSymphonyOrchestra,andconcertsinManilaandHalifax.[4A]HerlastNewYorkappearanceswerein1977withtheBrooklynPhilharmonia.[10A] In1981Antoniaretiredfromconductingattheageof79,butcontinuedtoteach.In1988shebrokeherhipinafall.ShediedinaDenvernursinghomeon3August1989attheageof87.[2A] MEMORIESOFANTONIA DanFrantzremembersTheGaze,apiercing,dark-eyedstare,asvividin1995asitwasthreedecadesagowhenhefirstsawAntonia.InjuniorhighschoolheheardhisbanddirectorplayintheBricoSymphony.Herecallsashortyetimposingwomanwalkedonstageclutchingabaton.He'dneverseenawomanconductanorchestra."Sheworethishuge,black,flowinggown,"Franzsaid."AndshehadthissternlookonherfacethatcouldhavemeltedpartsofGreenland."[1A] HenryHeskettplayedhorninBrico'sorchestrafortwentyyearsandremembersherdisturbingmixofgeniusandchildlikebehavior."Shewasachild...ineveryrespectexceptmusic,"Heskettsays."Sheknewhowtomaneuverpeople.Youknewyouwerebeingmaneuvered,butyoudiditanyway."[1A] WesBlomster,whonowreviewsclassicalmusicfortheBoulderDailyCamera,recallsaconcertin1967,Brico'sfirstopportunitytoconducttheDenverSymphonyOrchestrasincetheDSOboardhadsnubbedhertwentyyearsearlier.HerreadingofBeethoven'sThirdSymphonyswepthimoutofhischair."ThatwasoneofthegreatestBeethovenperformancesI'veeverheard."Butwhenhewentbackstage,hewasastoundedtodiscoverthemusiciansdidnotsharehisopinion.SomeofthemlatercirculatedapetitiondemandingthatBriconeverbeallowedtoconducttheirorchestraagain."Theorchestrahatedher,"Blomstersays."Theirmindsweremadeup."[1A] ForElizbethJans,Brico'shousekeeper/secretaryandclosestcompanioninherfinalyears,whatstandsoutisBrico'siron-willeddetermination."Shewasverytenacious,"Janssays."Ifshewantedsomething,shewentafterit--evenifshehadtogotoFinlandorAfrica.Ifyoutoldhershecouldn'tdosomething,shewouldbeevenmoredetermined."[1A] MARINALSOP 2008--2015 ONWARDANDUPWARD    In2008,MarinledtheBaltimoreSymphonyOrchestrainitsCarnegieHalldebut.ThatyearshelauchedaninnovativeeducationalprograminBaltimore.OrchKidsprovidesmusiceducation,instruments,mealsandmentorshiptosomeofthecity'sneediestyoungpeople.Seephotosbelow.Formoreinformationabouttheprogramsee OrchKids In2009,hercriticallyacclaimedNaxosrecordingofBernstein'sMasswasnominatedforaGrammyAwardforBestClassicalAlbum.In2010sheconductedthepieceatLondon'sSouthbankCentretoconcludeher9-month-longBernsteinProject.ThenextyearshebecameArtistinResidenceattheSouthbankCentreforthe2011/2012season. In2012shewasappointedPrincipalConductoroftheSaoPauloSymphonyOrchestra.SheledtheorchestraonaEuropeantourwithacclaimedperformancesattheBBCPromsinLondonandattheConcertgewouw'ssummerconcertprogramsinAmsterdam.HearMarinconducttheorchestrain Copland:FanfareFortheCommonMan AlsopconductsCopland In2013,theBaltimoreSymphonyrenewedhercontractasMusicDirectorforthesecondtime,extendingituntil2021.Sadly,Marin'sparents,RuthandLamarAlsop,diedwithinamonthofeachotherin2014.MarinconductedamemorialconcertforthematMannesCollegeTheNewSchoolofMusic.SeehercommemorativevideoatCommemorativeVideo In2015,MarinconductedtheprestidgeousLastNightoftheBBCPromsinLondon.FourstudentswereawardedtheAlsopEntrepreneurialAward,aprizefundedbyMarinandtheAlsopFamilyFoundation.HercontractasMusicDirectoroftheSaoPauloSymphonyOrchestrawasextendeduntil2019.ShewasappointedDirectorofGraduateConductingProgramattheJohnsHopkinsPeabodyInstitute.  TheseareonlyafewofMarin'saccomplishments.Toseemore,visitherwebsite.ALSOPWEBSITE COMMENTARY  OBSTACLES:DuringAntoniaBrico’slifetime,symphonicconductingwasamalepreserve.EarlyinhercareerBricomasteredthestandardorchestralrepertoireandwonthesupportofconductorsKarlMuck,SirAdrianBoltandcomposerJanSibelius;reviewsofherconcertswereoverwhelminglypositive. Evenso,afteranauspiciousstart,shesankintoobscurity,regainingbriefprominenceonlyinthetwilightofheryears.ArthurJudsonbelievedshewasaheadofhertime,bornfiftyyearstoosoon.Shediedin1989.Born54yearsafterBrico,MarinAlsopreceivedherfirstconductingpostin1988. ForMarin,obstaclesstillexisted,butbythetimesheenteredJulliardinthe1970stheclimatewaschanging.Shealsohadsupportiveparents,whowereprofessionalmusicians.Bothwomenfollowedsimilarpaths:performanceontheirinstruments,intenseconductingstudiespriortotheirpublicperformancesasconductors;bothestablishedtheirownorchestrastogainconductingopportunites.Bothhadsimilarqualities:highintelligence,innatemusicaltalent,apassionformusic,greatdeterminationandaboveallacapacityforhardwork.      GENDERBIAS:Antoniafeltthebiascamefrommanagement,notmusicians.Ina1975interview,shesaid,“Iftheleaderknowsherbusiness,theorchestradoesn’tcarewhetheritisamanorawoman.” [3A]In1976,shesaid,"Theonlysexistsintheconcertworldtodayarewomenintheaudienceandmostofthecritics--theywantonlymenonthepodium."[4A]Shepromotedthetalents ofwomencomposers,includingthepremierofElinorRemickWarren'sTheHarpWeaverin1936.Bricowasaheadofhertime.Shebelievedmorewomenwouldlandorchestraljobsifauditionswereheldbehindascreentoconcealtheirgender,anideathatdidnottakerootuntilthe1970s. Marinprefersnottodwellontheissue,attributingsomeofhersuccess"tothefactthatIneverinterpretedanyrejectionsasgender-based,evenifIcouldhavedoneso."Yetshealsonotes"Therearemore[opportunitiesforwomen]nowthaneverbefore,butitwouldbenaivenottonoticethattherearenowomenmusicdirectorsofanymajororchestrasintheworld.[1M]In2002shestartedafellowshipforfemaleconductors,theTakiConcordiaConductingFellowship;eachyearoneexceptionallytalentedwomanisselectedtoworkwithAlsopandherorchestras.[1M] IMAGE:Conciousofherimage,Bricosaidin1976,"Publicityisastrategicpartofgainingsomenoteforyourself."[4A]In1975,shetoldaNewsweekinterviewer,"Doyouhavetoputinmyage?Whenaman'sgray,he'sinteresting.Whenawoman'sgray,she'sold."[3A]  Alsopsaidin2007:"Awomanhastoreallythinkabouthowshegetssoundoutoftheorchestra.Ifyouwantareallybigdynamicrange,youhavetomakeadifferentgesturefromaman,becauseotherwisepeoplethinkyou'retryingtobethishugepersonandtheygetscaredofthat.You'reawomanpossessed.Orabitch.Whereasinamanit'sseenasstrong."[6M] ROLEMODELSandMENTORS:AntoniaBricoremainsaninspirationforaspiringwomenconductors.HermentorsincludedPaulSteindorff,KarlMuck,SirAdrianBolt,andJanSibelius.HerspiritualmentorwasAlbertSchweitzer,withwhomshestudiedBachduringthe1950s.Twoprominentwomenbecamefriendsandsupporters:EleanorRooseveltinthe30's;later,JudyCollins,herpianostudentandlifelongfriend,paidtributetoherinadocumentaryfilmabouther.    Marin'sparentswerehergreatestinfluenceandencouragedhermusicalambitions.HermentorandherowasLeonardBernstein."Heinspiredmetobecomeaconductor,becamemymentorandteacher,andmorethanaherocouldeverbe!"Sheconsidersitanhonortobearolemodelforaspiringfemalemusicians."IaminapositiontocreateopportunitiesforthenextgenerationofwomenandItakethatresponsibilityveryseriously."[1M]ShebringsstudentgroupsonstagetoperformwiththeBaltimoreSymphony:achildren'schorus,auniversitydancegroup,aninner-cityhighschooldrumcorps.SheestablishedOrchKidstobringmusictoBaltimore'sunderpriviledgedchildren."Ithinkarthasthecapacitytobringpeopletogether...Ithinkitcancompletelychangetheworldinsomeway."[2M] LEGACY:AntoniaBricoremainsatoweringfigure,makinghermarkasthebestknownandmostacclaimedfemaleconductoroftheearly20thcentury.Inthe21stcentury,thattorchhasbeenpassedtoMarinAlsop,whocontinuestomakemusicalnews,thankstoherhardwork,extraordinarytalentandherpassiontobringmusictowideraudiencesyoungandold.  DISCOGRAPHY:ANTONIABRICO: Film:Antonia:APortraitoftheWoman,directedbyJudyCollinsandJillGodmilow,1974  SonyCD:MozartOvertures,Divertimento,K.131;Symphony#28,3/4/97 MARINALSOP:OnYouTube! MarinconductToohottoHandel withtheBaltimoreSymphonyOrchestraandtheMorganStateChoir. MarinAlsopontheNewHourwithJimLehrer(2007interview) Discography:a sampleofMarinAlsop'smanyrecordings. BournemouthSymphony:Naxos     CompositionsofJohnAdamsandBusoni,2004     Bartok:TheWoodenPrince,2008     Bartok:MiraculousMandarinandotherworks2005     Bernstein:ChichesterPsalmsandotherworks2003 ColoradoSymphony,NSSMusic,withsoloistNadjaSalerno-Sonnenberg,                      ViolinConcertosofClariceAssadandTchaikovsky2005 RoyalScottishNationalOrchestra,AmericanClassicsSeries,5CDs                MusicofSamuelBarber,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005 LondonPhilharmonicOrchestra,Naxos,4CDs,2005,2007               JohannesBrahms'foursymphonies,andotherworks                     NewYorkPhilharmonicOrchestra,LeonardBernstein'sCandide           DVD:PBSGreatPerformances,2005EmmyAwardfinalist BaltimoreSymphonyOrchestra,Naxos,Dvorak,Symphony#9,2007 SOURCES  ANTONIABRICO[numeralswithinitialA] 1A.TheBricoRequiem,AlanPrendergastblogpost11-1-1995 2AAmericanLives:VolumeTwo:NotableAmericansWhoDiedBetween1986-1990,CharlesScribner'sSons,1999,BricoentrybySusanFleet 3A.CurrentBiography1948,AntoniaBricoentry   4A."Music,Maestra,"HubertSaalwithAbigailKuflik,Newsweek,8-18-1975   5A.OperaNews,February1976,quotingAntoniaBricointerview   6A."AntoniaBrico:TheOrchestraisHerInstrument,"MarjorieRosen,Ms.MagazineDec.1974                                                               7A."PhilharmonicLedbyAntoniaBrico,"NewYorkTimesreview,7-26-1938   8A."AntoniaBricoSaysOrchestrasNotPrejudicedAgainstWomen,"MelitaSpaggs,          ChristianScienceMonitor,11-13-1946 9A.PictorialReview,LloydMorris,May,1933   10A."AntoniaBrico,87,aConductor;FoughtBarrierstoWomenin30's,"NYTimesobituary,8-5-1989              TheAntoniaBricoCollectionisintheLibraryoftheColoradoHistoricalSocietyinDenver,Colorado.                       ______                     MARINALSOP[numeralswithinitialM] 1M.MarinAlsopwebsite,www.marinalsop.com                                        2M."MarinAlsopbreakstheglassbaton,"ElaineF.Weiss,TheChristianScienceMonitor, 9-26-2007                                   3M. "TheMaestroisaWoman,"Newsday,May2004 4M."Inhiringprocess,orchestra'sconductflawed,"RichardDyer,BostonGlobe,7-21-05                                                5M."Beatingtimeandspaceonthewaytothetop,"TheTelegraph(London)3-22-2001                                    6M "IDon'tneedtobeliked,I'dratherberespected,"TheTimes(London)2-9-2007                               7M ExcerptfromabookbyElizabethHinkle-Turner,Treasurer,SocietyforElectro-AcousticMusic,detailingBebeBarron'sachievements.  ©copyright2008SusanFleet TopofPage   SusanFleetArchives  Archive-homeWOMENWHODARED  WomenWhoDaredArchives-2008  DixieFastnacht-AnatCohen    Moreclarinet-saxplayers  TerriLyneCarrington    MoreWomenDrummers  DoriotAnthonyDwyer    MoreWomenPrincipals  SweetheartsofRhythm    Moreall-womenbands  ToshikoAkiyoshi    Morewomenbandleadersandcomposers  EdnaWhite    Morewomentrumpetplayers    EdnaWhiteHistoricRecordings  MelbaListon    MorewomentromboneplayersArchives-2009-2010  LilHardin    Morejazzpianists  EvelynGlennie    Morewomenpercussionists  ReginaCarter  MaudPowell    MoreWomenViolinists  AntoniaBrico&MarinAlsop    MoreWomenConductors  DIVA&MariachiReyna    MoreAll-WIMBigBands&MariachiBandsContact  Contact LeftHeaderphotobyCarolGeorgia   RightheaderphotobyPeteWolbrette Copyright©SusanFleet2007Allrightsreserved.Noneofthematerialsonthiswebsitemaybeused,reproducedortransmitted,inwholeorinpart,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recordingortheuseofanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermission.Torequestpermission,contactsusanviaemail.susan[AT]susanfleet.com