Roberta Verna

I am self-taught. For a long time I considered painting as something secondary, a quiet balance to music, almost like a hobby. Over the years I realized that it is deeply rooted in me. Art is not a byproduct of my life but an essential part of it.

My works do not begin with a plan. They grow from an inner image, a movement, or a thought, and only on the canvas do they unfold their path. The process itself is what matters most to me. It is discovery, refinement, and the direct translation of what lives inside me. Each work becomes unique, carried by the moment in which it is created.

The human body is the central thread of my art. In its movement, its anatomy, and its pure physiognomy I find a beauty that needs no alteration. Nakedness is not a taboo for me but a form of purity, the essence of the human being. Clothing becomes an addition, an accent that highlights and accompanies the body without ever overshadowing it. In my fashion pieces the body plays the same role. It is always the center, the bearer of movement, expression, and identity.

I choose simple materials, mostly acrylic on canvas and pencil on paper. In simplicity I find depth. The body itself is already complex, full of meaning and possibilities. My art does not aim at overload but at reduction: as much as necessary, as little as possible. The choice of colors and forms is always guided by this clarity.

A quiet sense of melancholy often finds its way into my works. It is not something I consciously seek, but something that appears on its own. Perhaps it is part of my sensitivity, which also shapes my music: the closeness to emotions, to subtle shifts in mood, to delicate tones. This quality enters my paintings without ever dominating them.

My work comes in phases. There are times when I immerse myself completely in painting, and other times when music takes the lead. Both belong together. Music gives me what is audible, painting gives me what is visible. Both are tied to my body, to movement, to gesture, to expression. The alternation between them keeps me balanced and allows me to grow in both worlds.

My art is not a finished answer but a process. It is trace, expression, and memory at once. In it I see my own development, my feelings, and my search for balance. At the same time it reaches out to the viewer. Something may stir, something may be recognized or felt anew. My art is part of my language as a human being and as an artist. It is open, honest, and necessary.

My specialization as a concertmaster has grown over the years, without being part of a plan from the beginning. At the start of my studies, I, like many young musicians, dreamed of pursuing a solo career. But very soon I realized that my true passion lies within the orchestra. The collaboration, the variety of tasks, the richness of the repertoire, and the atmosphere of the theater fulfilled me in a way that solo playing never could.

I was surrounded by this world from childhood. Growing up in the theater through my parents, I was immersed in singers, dancers, actors, musicians, and technicians. The diversity of personalities and the interplay of different art forms shaped me deeply and gave me the feeling of being at home in that environment.

During my studies I played in many orchestras and youth ensembles, which allowed me to deepen my love for orchestral life. I had the privilege of working with outstanding artists early on, experiences that sharpened my sense of what it means to be part of a larger whole.

In recent years I have worked mainly as a concertmaster. Renowned orchestras and opera houses have regularly invited me as a guest, which gave me valuable experience and allowed me to grow into this role step by step. What began as an opportunity gradually became a clear specialization and finally a profession that fulfills me completely.

In November 2024 I won the audition for the position of First Concertmaster at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. I will begin my tenure there in September 2025. For me this is not just a new chapter, but the realization of a dream.

The role of a concertmaster is more than a position in the orchestra. It combines musical excellence with responsibility, inspiration, and leadership. It requires knowledge of the repertoire, sensitivity in collaboration, organizational awareness, and the ability to translate movement into sound. I see myself in this role as a link between conductor and orchestra, as someone who carries energy, gives impulses, and holds the ensemble together.

Of course, this position also brings pressure, but I do not see it as a burden. Taking responsibility comes naturally to me. I work with energy, determination, and passion, and in that I find fulfillment. Being a concertmaster is not merely a career choice, but the expression of a deep conviction and love for the orchestra. It is my dream job and the place where I feel most at home.