The character of Lydia Tár, a fictional but memorably intense conductor in Todd Field's film as portrayed by Cate Blanchett, sparked significant chatter in late 2022/early 2023. Despite Tár being a conjuration of cinema, there are many real, formidable, and committed female conductors in the world.
Sadly, female conductors are a distinct minority in the global orchestral scene – accounting for just around 3% of all conductors worldwide. To address this imbalance and raise the visibility of these skilled women, the 'La Maestra' competition was founded. Held annually, it brings together talented female conductors from around the globe. Maggie Contreras, as a first time director, documents the experiences and preparation of a handful of diverse participants from the 2022 competition in her documentary, “Maestra.”
Conducting, as the film details, is an intense and intricate process requiring in-depth knowledge, keen connection with musicians, exact precision, and the ability to make spontaneous decisions. It's no wonder women excel in this field, essentially reflecting the multi-tasking capabilities they display in daily life.
“Maestra” takes a close look at five women with diverse backgrounds and experiences - Zoe Zeniodi, Tamara Dworetz, Ustina Dubitsky, Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, and Mélisse Brunet. Each has her own unique approach to preparation and each faces her own personal challenges both on and off stage.
Interestingly, the film reveals a sense of camaraderie and support among female conductors. They cheer for each other during the eliminations and provide comfort in times of disappointment.
Despite the compelling narrative, the documentary’s final act takes a distracting turn, intercutting between two contrasting storylines thereby somewhat undermining the dramatic depth of both. However, the film does yield some surprising turns, especially if one is unfamiliar with the specific workings of the classical music world.
Ironically, in spite of their proficiency and passion, prejudices still lurk in the classical music world, exemplified by a critique that one seasoned conductor should have “smiled more.” Clearly, like the fictional Lydia Tár who inspired the documentary, the female conductors of the real world still face many challenges, serving to underscore the relevance and importance of Contreras’s “Maestra.”
