Albena Danailova, a violinist who became the orchestra’s first female concertmaster, is a leader and intermediary who helps preserve a signature sound.
On a recent evening at the Vienna State Opera, the robust, singing tone of the violinist Albena Danailova shadowed the melodies of the character Rodolfo in a signature aria from Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Between numbers, she casually chatted with fellow members of the house orchestra before angling her bow and steering the ensemble.
It was just another night on duty. Except that Ms. Danailova, 48, is the first female concertmaster in the history of the Vienna Philharmonic.
She assumed the role in 2011, three years after beginning as a player in the orchestra of the State Opera. (Philharmonic musicians play in the pit for three years before having the opportunity to become an official member.) The Bulgarian native maintains a busy schedule including chamber music activities and coming concerts under conductors including Kirill Petrenko and Herbert Blomstedt. Next Saturday to Monday, she will take the stage of the Musikverein for performances of the annual New Year’s Concert, which will be conducted by Christian Thielemann.
In an interview at the Vienna Philharmonic’s office at the Musikverein, Ms. Danailova observed that recent awareness of gender disparity among orchestra players and conductors had allowed women to feel “more encouraged” and “trust themselves more.”
She noted that the increasing sense of equality has also heightened competition. “Even more than in the past, one’s achievement is what counts,” she said. “Because when the doors are open to everyone, the question is: Who is the best?”
