Music Director David Angus has announced that violinist Annie Rabbat has been named the Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra’s new Concertmaster.

Rabbat has played with the orchestra since 2012 and served as its principal second violinist for several years.  She has played featured solos for BLO in such productions as “Werther” and “The Merry Widow.”

As the concertmaster, Rabbat will serve as a liaison between her fellow orchestra members and conductors and will represent the players in artistic discussions. She will also make many playing decisions for all the other string players, including bowing choices and fingering and will play prominent violin solos, as required in orchestral scores.

“It’s incredibly important for an orchestra to have a very good leader in its Concertmaster,” said Angus in a press statement, “and equally important for that person to have good personal relationships and artistic authority with their peers. Annie brings extraordinary playing talent and great leadership skills to this position. I look forward to working with her to keep the orchestra playing at its highest possible level.”

“Having been both a section leader and section player lends a lot to this new role for me,” Rabbat said. “It gives me insight on how to support the orchestra members.  And I’m thrilled for the chance to work more directly with David.  In my years at BLO I,’ve found him to be an enthusiastic, effective and respectful leader, who brings a genuine love of music to the table.”