Marin Alsop Movie "The Conductor" Arrives to Theaters

The new documentary, titled "The Conductor," was released on January 27. It follows the life and experiences of trailblazing American conductor Marin Alsop, who became the first woman to secure a conducting job in one of America's top orchestras.

Alsop was appointed Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 2007; at that time, it was "more likely for a woman to be a four-star officer in the United States military than to lead a major American symphony orchestra."

The film, which is directed by Austrian director Bernadette Wegenstein, explores Alsop's experiences through a series of interviews, both with Alsop herself and with other major figures in the music world.

The documentary also contains previously unseen archival footage of Alsop working with her longtime mentor Leonard Bernstein.

Lastly, the film shows Alsop herself acting as a mentor to the next generation of female conductors — many of which might still be feeling the pressure of the male dominated industry. Since Alsop stepped down from her position in Baltimore in 2021, the status quo has returned, with none of the major American orchestras being led by women.

"The Conductor has a winning frankness that enables the audience to fall under the spell of its profoundly articulate protagonist," wrote filmmaker and reviewer Lucy Mukerjee. "It’s a triumphant film about overcoming discrimination and realizing one’s talent against all odds."

You can watch the trailer for The Conductor below.