Every orchestral musician and manager sees a cavalcade of would-be maestros who might go one way or the other. If they are men, they tend to be given the benefit of the doubt. Women seldom get a second chance. Conducting is an uneven playing field for women, and it won't be levelled overnight. But podium talent has become so scarce that we cannot afford to ignore the gifts of half the human race.
Positive discrimination is no solution, nor is more legislation.
What is needed is increased awareness. When the next Edwards or Quinn comes under pressure, music lovers must rally against antediluvian prejudices and insist that women conductors are accorded the confidence they deserve. They may be the best hope we've got. Visit every week to read Norman Lebrecht's latest column.