Just 10 months after assuming the post as director of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, 32-year-old Alondra de la Parra has handed in her resignation.
A press release from her public relations firm stated that de la Parra “has closed her cycle with the orchestra” due to “previous artistic commitments,” as well as the fact that her contract expired in December 2012.
According to sources close to the orchestra, JPO musicians held a vote on Tuesday as to whether they wanted de la Parra to continue at the helm of the group. She garnered 22 votes in her favor with 43 saying they would prefer that she leave.
JPO administrators did not confirm the opinions of some sources who said the vote probably triggered de la Parra’s dismissal.
“It took us with a lot of surprise because we had important projects in the works,” said JPO General Manager Arturo Gomez Poulat. “But I knew she had commitments in foreign countries. That’s why she left.”
As reported in this newspaper, both de la Parra and Poulat had been busy preparing the upcoming 2013 winter season of concerts. However, she was scheduled to conduct just two concerts in the five-concert February/March season due to commitments in other parts of the world.
Since the turn of the year speculation has raged that de la Parra might not be rehired by the incoming state administration of Aristoteles Sandoval, who assumes the Jalisco governorship on March 1.
Her high salary, part of which was financed by private backers, was thought to be an issue for the new administration.
Sources close to the orchestra say that while being a top-class conductor, de la Parra could be impetuous and undiplomatic.
De la Parra came to the Jalisco Philharmonic with an impressive resume for such a young conductor.
In 2004, she founded the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. Her mission was to create an orchestra to showcase young performers and composers from the American continent.
Born in New York City in 1980, she moved to Mexico with her parents at age two, and boasts an impressive musical education, studying in both England and the United States.
Her vibrant conducting style has earned her plaudits from critics around the world. She has more than 120,000 followers on Twitter.
In a press release, they JPO administration said it “understood” de la Parra’s decision and thanked her for her efforts. The next director would be appointed “five weeks” after the incoming state administration takes office, the release said.
Speaking to the Reporter in the fall, de la Parra said the orchestra had improved significantly under her watch, an observation other musicians have also noted.
“I see great progress since I came here almost a year ago,” she said. “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.”
There has been no doubting de la Parra’s drawing power. All the concerts she directed at the Teatro Degollado were sellouts.
The JPO press release noted that de la Parra would be returning to Guadalajara to conduct the concerts scheduled on February 15 and 17, and March 8 and 10, but Gomez Poulet said he wasn’t sure if replacement directors would be required.
De la Parra flew to Munich on Wednesday to conduct the Bach Collegium as part of that city’s celebrations marking the 257th anniversary of Mozart’s birth.