Rimma Benyumova Named New Concertmaster of Staatskapelle Berlin

The Siberian-born violinist will begin the role in the 2021-22 season

Benyumova, at 27-years-old, is a graduate of the Berlin University of Arts and Hanns Eisler School of Music, where she studied with Tomasz Tomaszewski and Ulf Wallin. She was also a member of the Deutsche Oper Berlin Academy.

She has won several international violin competitions, including the Victor Tretyakov, Schoenfeld, Oistrakh, and Anton Rubinstein competitions. Additionally, she has soloed with the Munich Symphony Orchestra, the “I Pomeriggi Musicali” orchestra in Milan, the Russian State Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonic Orchestras of Opole, Poznan, and Krakow, among other ensembles.

Her previous orchestral experience includes a role as deputy concertmaster at the Philharmonie Dresden.

Benyumova performs on a 1741 instrument by Camillus Camilli, loaned to her by a generous sponsor and the LMN Society Berlin.

The Staatskapelle Berlin has a 450-year history and is one of the oldest orchestras in the world. Daniel Barenboim has served as General Music Director for the ensemble since 1992 and was elected conductor for life by the orchestra in 2000. The orchestra currently has three first concertmasters — Lothar Strauss, Wolfram Brandl, and Jiyoon Lee — and two concertmasters, Yuki Manuela Janke and Petra Schwieger.

"I am truly honored and excited to join the Concertmeister group of one of the oldest orchestras in Germany with such a rich history," Benyumova told The Violin Channel. "In these times of struggle, as musicians and human beings, I am especially grateful for this chance and opportunity.

"Since I've studied many years in Berlin, I couldn’t dream of something better. It's hard to imagine that such amazing musicians that I've listened joyfully to many times from the audience will be my future colleagues. I really look forward to interacting with them as well as the exciting and fulfilling challenge of guiding the orchestra.

"The next season of Staatsoper Berlin is full of beautiful music and unique projects which I hope will take place despite all the difficulties. I’m happy to be part of them and start my probation period under the baton of chief conductor Maestro Daniel Barenboim," she concluded.