Section Principal Viola


The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden


Music Director, Royal Opera: Antonio Pappano

Music Director, Royal Ballet: Koen Kessels

Concert Masters: Vasko Vassilev, Sergey Levitin


The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House is seeking to appoint to the position of:

Section Principal Viola

We invite applications from outstanding players with considerable recent relevant professional experience. The successful candidates will be musicians of the highest calibre who are self-motivated, reliable and versatile with the ability to work under pressure as part of an established team.

The terms and conditions of employment for this position offers some flexibility in workload and schedule. This is a permanent salaried position.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and value the positive impact that difference has on our teams.

The full job description and details of how to apply are attached below.


We intend to hold screened first round auditions in person in London on the morning of the 24th February, and the afternoons of 3rd and 6th March 2023. If you are successful in your 1st round audition, we will call you back later on the same day for a 2nd round audition which will not be screened.

Please note we intend to contact shortlisted candidates by the end of Wednesday 25th January 2023.


First round audition requirements will be:

1.Karl Stamitz, Viola concerto in D major opus 1, 1st movement, only the first page of the Peters edition (the first 66 bars of the solo viola part)

2.Orchestral excerpts as per enclosed PDF. (nb. Only the first 3 excerpts are required for the first round)


Second round audition requirements will be:

1.The first movement from one of the following concertos:

-Bartok - Viola Concerto

-Walton - Viola Concerto

-Hindemith - Der Schwanendreher

2.Orchestral excerpts as per the enclosed PDF. There will be one additional excerpt to follow.


The closing date for applications is: 9am, Friday 20th January 2023

Should candidates who are shortlisted for trial work or offered permanent employment not have current UK work authorisation, ROH will provide support in obtaining the necessary permission to work depending on individual circumstances. Please contact us at the relevant point in the recruitment process if this applies to you.


If you have any questions regarding this position, please e-mail Orchestra.Auditions@roh.org.uk.




Sorry, this vacancy is closed.