Rudolf Piehlmayer has enjoyed an international career as an opera and concert conductor for many years, working with opera houses and orchestras throughout Europe and Asia.

From 2002 to 2009, he served as General Music Director of the Staatstheater Augsburg, where he was responsible for the orchestra's symphonic concert programmes as well as the opera productions of the theatre. One of the highlights of his tenure was the Augsburg premiere of Gustav Mahler's Eighth Symphony, the “Symphony of a Thousand”, involving more than 300 performers. This performance earned him a special award at the Augsburg Theatre Prize in 2005.

He made his debut at Oper Leipzig in 2000, conducting Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier. Further invitations to conduct opera productions followed, and from 2007 to 2010 he held the position of Principal Guest Conductor at the house.

Between 2014 and 2022, Rudolf Piehlmayer appeared regularly as a guest conductor in France, receiving repeated invitations from the Opéra de Rouen Normandie, the Opéra de Rennes and Angers Nantes Opéra. His international opera engagements have also included guest appearances at the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo.

He has maintained a longstanding artistic relationship with the Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, where he has regularly appeared as a guest conductor since 2014.

A particularly close collaboration connects him with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra. Alongside numerous concerts, this partnership has resulted in radio productions with Bavarian Broadcasting and several CD recordings, including works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Emanuel Moór and Hans Koessler. The Koessler recording, released by cpo in 2026, was produced in cooperation with BR-Klassik.

His other recordings include Gulda meets Shostakovich, featuring the Wiener Concert-Verein and cellist Friedrich Kleinhapl, released by ARS Produktion.

From 2022 to 2026, he also conducted a symphonic wind orchestra of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).

Rudolf Piehlmayer initially studied music education and clarinet as a principal subject at the University of Music in Munich. After completing his studies, he became principal clarinettist of the Berliner Symphoniker. During this period, he also studied conducting with Professor Hermann Michael at the University of Music in Munich.

His first permanent appointment at an opera house was at Theater Regensburg, where he initially worked as a répétiteur and subsequently as Deputy General Music Director. These years played an important role in his development as an opera and concert conductor.

From 1998 to 2004, he was a guest conductor at Deutsche Oper Berlin. His repertoire there included Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer, Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Gluck's Orpheus und Eurydike and Orff's Carmina Burana.

During the 2000/2001 season, he served as First Conductor at Theater St. Gallen.

Rudolf Piehlmayer's repertoire encompasses the major works of the operatic and symphonic literature as well as contemporary music. His artistic approach is characterised by stylistic versatility, a strong sense of musical drama and a commitment to bringing musical works vividly and directly to life.