Bulgarian violinist Albena Danailova is the first assistant to concertmaster Rainer Honeck in the New Year's concert of the Vienna Philharmonic on January 1, 2024. Conductor will be Christian Thielemann.

Albena Danailova played in the Orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, gradually advancing from second violin to first violin and then to concertmaster. Since 2008 she has been part of the Vienna Philharmonic staff. Since 2011 she has been one of the four permanent concertmasters, the first time in the 180-year history of the orchestra that this post has been held by a woman. It is no coincidence that Albena is called the "First Lady" of the Vienna Philharmonic.

In an interview for Radio Bulgaria some time ago she talked about her difficult road to success. According to her, women have been slow in entering the legendary orchestra because the Viennese strictly adhere to tradition. ‘’Things seem to change there more slowly. The Austrians like to joke about it, they say: “If the world comes to an end, come join us, because it will probably take us 30 years to catch on”, explains Albena.

You can learn more interesting details about the life and career of one of the concertmasters of the Vienna Philharmonic - Albena Danailova, from Radio Bulgaria’s article: ‘'Albena Danailova: My dream is of a world without restrictions and with more music’'

See also: 

• Albena Danailova will be a soloist at the concert of the BNR Symphony Orchestra

• Albena Danailova, concertmaster of Vienna’s Statsoper