Marin Alsop is to take the helm of the São Paolo Symphony Orchestra.
The American conductor, who is and will continue to be music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, is to begin her stint with Brazil’s leading orchestra in 2012. Over her five-year contract Alsop will be expected to conduct 30 to 40 concerts per season and record with the orchestra.
Alsop first conducted the São Paolo Symphony last year, in three performances of Mahler's Symphony No. 7. She will be taking over the baton from Yan Pascal Tortelier, who will remain as the 109-strong orchestra's guest conductor of honour.
As well as making history by becoming the first woman to head a major American orchestra when she took up the post in Baltimore, Alsop has also been principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony. A regular guest conductor of the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, she also appears every season with the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras.
Lucia Greco