Roman Spitzer was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he began violin studies with Professor S. Zabejinsky, and continued at the Rimsky Korsakov Music College with Professor V. Mazel. After emigrating to Israel in 1990, he studied viola at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music with Gad Lewertoff. He was appointed Principal Viola of the Tel Aviv Symphony Orchestra, and served as a member of the New Tel Aviv String Quartet, which won several competitions. In 2000, Spitzer was appointed Principal Viola of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and in 2016, Principal Viola of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. He currently teaches in Israel and at the Rotterdam Academy of Music Codarts, participates in festivals, and gives international masterclasses in viola and chamber music.

Photo by Ramsey Spencer