Two competitions, two juries: eleven figures from opera and arts management for the opera competition, sixteen musicians and teachers from piano, voice, strings, composition and conducting for the young musicians.
President of the jury
Soprano, Kammersängerin · also video pre-selection
Born in Belgrade in 1934, the soprano joined the Vienna State Opera in 1963, where her roles included Susanna, Zerlina and Despina; from 1965 she also sang at the Salzburg Festival. She was named Kammersängerin in 1984 and now teaches at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Conductor, artistic director of the European Music Institute Vienna · also video pre-selection
The conductor has led the European Music Institute Vienna, successor to the Wiener Meisterkurse, since 2016 and is dean at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Artistic director, Oper im Steinbruch St. Margarethen
The Austrian cultural manager and singer runs Oper im Steinbruch St. Margarethen, one of Europe’s major open-air opera stages. He sat on the jury of the predecessor competitions in 2022 and 2024.
Opera singer (bass), Senior Artistic Advisor, Müpa Budapest; Artistic Advisor, Hungarian State Opera
The Hungarian bass studied at the Liszt Academy and at La Scala and is now senior artistic adviser at Müpa Budapest. He has served on the juries of several international singing competitions.
General Director of Opera Graz
He has been at Oper Graz since 2006, where he is responsible for casting.
Opera singer, vocal master
The American soprano is closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she sang the great Verdi roles. She is regarded as one of the defining dramatic sopranos of her generation and has given masterclasses in Vienna for several years.
Artist management, Hollaender-Calix International Artist Agency
The Austrian lawyer and cultural manager works in artist management and has written widely in his field. He has known the world of Viennese opera since childhood.
Artistic director, Ente Concerti ‘Marialisa de Carolis’, Italy
The Italian baritone has sung at La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Rome Opera and the Teatro Regio di Torino, above all in Verdi. In Sassari he is artistic director of Ente Concerti ‘Marialisa de Carolis’.
Opera artist manager, Galoyan Art Management, Italy
The Italian artist manager represents Galoyan Art Management in Italy and writes opera criticism for I Teatri dell’Est. He sat on the jury of the predecessor competition in 2024.
Opera singer, vocal professor, mentor
The opera singer teaches voice at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory. Her teaching combines secure technique with each voice’s artistic individuality.
Opera singer
The Armenian soprano was a member of the Stuttgart State Opera ensemble from 2003 to 2011 and has sung at La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin and Bavarian State Operas, the Semperoper and Zurich Opera: Tosca, Butterfly, Aida and Norma.
The opera video pre-selection is assessed by Olivera Miljaković and Jörg Bierhance together with the organiser. Members with a professional or personal relationship to a candidate do not vote on that candidate. The jury’s decisions are final.
The jury is headed by Jörg Bierhance. Its members are professors, performing musicians and teachers from several countries. Its decisions are final.
Head of the jury
Conducting
The conductor has led the European Music Institute Vienna, successor to the Wiener Meisterkurse, since 2016 and is dean at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Opera singer, vocal master
The American soprano is closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she sang the great Verdi roles. She is regarded as one of the defining dramatic sopranos of her generation and has given masterclasses in Vienna for several years.
Composer
The composer has been an Honorary Senator and honorary committee member of the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory since 2025. That year his “Lacrimosa” was premiered in the Ehrbar Saal.
Piano
Opera singer
Born in Belgrade in 1934, the soprano joined the Vienna State Opera in 1963, where her roles included Susanna, Zerlina and Despina; from 1965 she also sang at the Salzburg Festival. She was named Kammersängerin in 1984 and now teaches at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Strings
Piano
Piano
He heads the composition department at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Piano
Piano
Vocal
Vocal
The opera singer teaches voice at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory. Her teaching combines secure technique with each voice’s artistic individuality.
Violin, France
Piano
Piano
Piano, USA
