Read more news stories here
The Hallé in Manchester, UK, has announced the appointment of Rachel Helleur-Simcock as its new section leader, cello, for the 2025/26 season.
Helleur-Simcock comes to the role having served with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and The 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic for the last 16 years.
She was principal cellist of the Deutsche Oper Berlin for two years, and has also guest-led the cello sections of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Oslo Philharmonic, the Hamburg Radio Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and, most recently, the Hallé.
The British cellist received her first cello lessons at the age of six before attending the Purcell School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She spent a semester as an exchange student at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, before moving to Berlin to study at the University for Music ‘Hanns Eisler’ with Troels Svane and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Academy with Olaf Maninger.
Prior to officially joining the Hallé as section leader, cello, Helleur-Simcock will step in as soloist for the Elgar Cello Concerto on Thursday 25 September, replacing Truls Mørk who has had to withdraw due to unforeseen circumstances. The concert will be conducted by the Hallé’s principal conductor and artistic advisor, Kahchun Wong.
On her appointment, Helleur-Simcock said: ’It’s such an honour to be appointed the new section leader, cello, of this wonderful orchestra, and an extra thrill to be able to perform this seminal concerto – a piece so intrinsically linked to the Hallé and a pillar of the cello repertoire.’
David Butcher, chief executive of the Hallé said: ’We are thrilled to welcome Rachel to the Hallé from Berlin to Manchester as our section leader, cello. Rachel is an acclaimed international cellist with vast experience, also as a chamber musician and soloist.’