In 1997, the Vienna Philharmonic was "facing protests during a [US] tour" by the National Organization for Women and the International Alliance for Women in Music. Finally, "after being held up to increasing ridicule even in socially conservative Austria, members of the orchestra gathered [on 28 February 1997] in an extraordinary meeting on the eve of their departure and agreed to admit a woman, Anna Lelkes, as harpist." As of 2013, the orchestra has six female members; one of them, violinist Albena Danailova became one of the orchestra's concertmasters in 2008, the first woman to hold that position. In 2012, women still made up just 6% of the orchestra's membership. VPO president Clemens Hellsberg said the VPO now uses completely screened blind auditions. COUNT 5
QSN1 In what year did the Vienna Philharmonic face protests in the US? ANS1 1997 QSN2 Who was the first woman admitted to the Vienna Philharmonic? ANS2 Anna Lelkes QSN3 What instrument did Anna Lelkes play? ANS3 harp QSN4 How many female members were part of the Vienna Philharmonic in 2013? ANS4 six QSN5 Who was the Vienna Philharmonic's first female concertmaster? ANS5 Albena Danailova