Joana Mallwitz assumed the position of chief conductor at Berlin's Konzerthaus last month. Her appointment has sparked widespread comparisons on the internet to Cate Blanchett's character in the Oscar-nominated movie 'Tár'.

In case you missed the news, Joana Mallwitz recently took on the roles of chief conductor and artistic director of the Konzerthausorchester in Berlin.

This achievement marked a significant breakthrough, as Mallwitz became the first woman to lead one of the seven major orchestras in the German capital. What's more, at the age of 37, she is also the youngest to hold such a position.

Since the announcement of her new role, Joana Mallwitz's name and image have been omnipresent in the city. Social media has especially picked up on the resemblance between Mallwitz and the fictional character Lydia Tár, portrayed by Cate Blanchett in the film 'Tár'. Lydia Tár was also a chief conductor of a prominent Berlin orchestra, and there is a noticeable physical resemblance between Blanchett and Mallwitz. Some have even accused the Konzerthausorchester of intentionally using these similarities in their promotional materials to capitalize on the online buzz.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Mallwitz revealed that she has not yet seen the Oscar-nominated film and is puzzled by the comparisons people have drawn between her and the film's titular character.

"The comparisons between me and her—well, it's just the hair, right? To be honest, people have been saying to me for the past 20 years that I and Blanchett look a little bit alike," Mallwitz told The Guardian. "And you know, I'm sure she has no clue about me."

Joana Mallwitz's illustrious career began at the age of 19, and her recent appointment in Berlin is just the latest milestone in her impressive journey. In 2014, at the age of 27, she became the youngest General Music Director in Europe when she assumed her first music director role at Theater Erfurt during the 2014/2015 season. She has left her mark on numerous major venues across Europe, including the Nationale Opera Amsterdam, the Semperoper Dresden, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Bavarian State Opera, the Frankfurt Opera, the Royal Danish Opera, the Norwegian National Opera, and the Zurich Opera.

Mallwitz's reputation as one of the most exceptional conductors of her generation was solidified after her highly praised debut at the Salzburg Festival in 2020, where she conducted Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte." Her innovative approach to conducting and her emphasis on engaging with audiences, as seen in her popular Expeditionskonzert format, where she and her musicians provide insights into a piece of music before a concert, have established her as an exciting and fresh presence in the typically formal world of classical music.

This year, she was honored with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, an award given to artists who promote education, unity, the arts, and democracy in the country.

In addition to her role as chief conductor at the Konzerthaus, Mallwitz is set to make her debut in the United States this season with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.