Like a comet trailing sparkling stardust, Jalisco Philharmonic Director Alondra de la Parra has swept into Guadalajara, five weekends into the orchestra’s fall season and showing signs of her renowned drawing power, which promises to fill the Teatro Degollado at every concert she directs.
Affectionately dubbed Mighty Mouse by some JPO musicians, and called demanding by others, the slender 32-year-old, born and educated in New York, but otherwise very much Mexican, already boasts a staggering international resume.
Despite these accomplishments, the leadership of the orchestra, whose baton De la Parra took less than a year ago, is still in flux due to the recent national, state and local elections. Despite this, De la Parra seems confident — she has already planned the orchestra’s programs beyond the current season.
This week she spoke to the Guadalajara Reporter’s ELAINE HALLECK about music, Mexico, herself, the orchestra and her plans for it.The obvious question — does being a woman in a traditional male field affect your relations with people?
Being a woman doesn’t really affect my work. When I’m up there on the podium, I’m not a woman, I’m a musician speaking to other musicians.
You have more than 120,000 followers on Twitter. Why do you like social networking so much?
It’s not that I like Twitter so much, but it’s a great tool for promotion, for bringing people to this hall. I just post things I’m thinking about at the moment.
Who had the most influence on you?
My parents. I can’t emphasize that enough. Also Kenneth Kiesler [professor, conductor, mentor whom she approached saying she wanted to be a conductor], Simon Rattle [conductor of Berlin Philharmonic]. Kurt Masur [director of Orchestre National de France].
Where do you consider home?
Mexico City.
Some say that Mexican audiences are not open to contemporary music, that they are conservative. How do you find Mexican audiences on the continuum of audiences you deal with in Latin America and the United States?
I don’t think Mexicans are conservative. In general, there is always resistance to new music but I don’t think it’s a Mexican trait. Most composers in history were not understood in their own time. It’s a matter of educating the audience. As far as U.S. audiences, they vary from place to place — you might be talking about Columbus, Ohio, Philadelphia or San Francisco. Mexico is a very musical country. There’s a natural openness to music. I see great progress since I came here almost a year ago. The orchestra is remembering why they are musicians. They’re becoming more of a group, and making great efforts. They are playing difficult and challenging music.
Do you tailor your programs that you plan to accommodate audience differences?
I tailor programs for the music, not the audience. I program music that I love and that I think people will like. I like to include contrasting music. I don’t like to program the same old three composers. It’s more that I adjust the orchestra to the program. I say, “This is what we should do” — without driving them crazy.
Can you mention one of your most memorable concerts?
There are memorable moments in almost every concert. That’s why I love this profession — you never know when it will happen. A good example is the concert I did in 2010 at the Angel de Independencia in Mexico City [directing the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, which she founded, in a program celebrating the bicentennial that was broadcast widely]. There was so much accumulated energy. It was a turning point. That was when Twitter took off. I went from 4,000 to 12,000 followers in an hour. In two years, it was ten times that.
Do you have any unrealized ambitions?
To do an opera. I’ve never done an opera. I hope, and this is still just a hope, to do a Verdi opera in a new, innovative production, maybe next year.
Some musicians say that you have the best ear of any director they’ve worked with, that you know very well who is in and out of tune.
That’s nice to hear. I’ve always liked to train my ear. My father always made me sing and harmonize. Later, I had teachers and ear training that helped.
How do you relax?
I like to be with my family. I like to exercise and work out with my boyfriend, but I don’t like gyms. I prefer outdoors. I like movies and I’m a TV series addict. Not telenovelas (soaps) — I like U.S. series like “24,” “Prison Break” and “Homeland.”
Alondra de la Parra conducts the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra at Guadalajara’s Teatro Degollado on Friday, November 23, 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 25, 12:30 p.m.; Friday, November 30, 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 2, 12:30 p.m. See page 29 for more details.