The Vienna Philharmonic, once all male, now has 24 female musicians and counting as it catches up with the times and other orchestras

The Vienna Philharmonic was all male until 1997. Now the orchestra has 24 female players – ‘we want the best, so it was the right decision,’ its chairman says

In contrast, the New York Phil hired its first woman in 1922, and today it and other top orchestras have a more even balance of male and female players

Reading Time:3 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

Members of the Vienna Philharmonic after a performance in Berlin Cathedral. The orchestra, which was all male until 1997, now has 24 woman players. Photo: Getty Images

Associated Press

Published: 4:15pm, 10 Mar 2024

Andrea Götsch was surprised when she won her audition in 2019 that led to membership in the Vienna Philharmonic.

“When I went home, I was just laughing because I couldn’t realise that they had really taken me,” the 29-year-old clarinettist says.

“It was always kind of a dream. As a young child already, I watched the New Year’s concert, but it was never a goal. I thought that was too far away.”

A male bastion from its founding in 1842 until 1997, the Vienna Philharmonic (VPO) now has 24 female players among 145 members, with three vacancies, as it tours the United States this month.

I never expected to end up in an orchestra like this

Harpist Anneleen Lenaerts, the eighth woman admitted to the Vienna Philharmonic’s ranks

“It’s very positive to me. It’s a completely normal way of us living with each other. And we all have one main goal, to give the best possible concert – and that unifies us,” said Daniel Froschauer, chairman of the self-governing ensemble.