Swensen receives half a million, and San Francisco Opera cancels its opening
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Live Klassisk5 min read|15. September 2026
Cellist Jonathan Swensen is the first recipient of the new Olesens Musikpris, which honours young Danish musicians with the potential for an international career. The prize, which is worth half a million kroner, underlines Swensen's ability to connect art and audience, and will be presented at a concert in Mogens Dahl Koncertsal in April 2027.
Jonathan Swensen receives new Danish music prize
The cellist Jonathan Swensen has become the first recipient of Olesens Musikpris, a new Danish distinction for young musicians with international potential. The prize, which was established by Erik og Susanna Olesens Almenvelgørende Fond, comes with a cash award of half a million kroner. According to the foundation, the prize is given to musicians who combine artistic talent with courage and the ability to create a connection between art, audience and the present day. Swensen, who has already made his mark internationally, will receive the prize at a concert in Mogens Dahl Koncertsal in April 2027. Magasinet KLASSISK reports.
Source: Magasinet KLASSISK
Strike cancels San Francisco Opera's opening night
San Francisco Opera had to cancel its opening night because of a strike among the orchestra musicians. General Director Matthew Shilvock expressed disappointment that the orchestra chose to strike rather than continue negotiations on a new collective agreement. The current agreement expired in July 2026, and the negotiations have been difficult. Shilvock stressed the importance of adapting to the changed economic realities in the arts, and hopes for a quick return to the negotiating table. Opera Wire reports.
Source: Opera Wire
Opera season postponed because of dangerous stage tower
Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf has postponed the start of its season because of safety problems with the stage tower. A routine inspection revealed structural faults that make it dangerous to use the tower for performances. As a result, Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly' has been cancelled, while 'The Mastersingers of Nuremberg' and 'La Traviata' have been postponed to mid-October. The city's plans for a new opera house have been shelved because of financial constraints. Magasinet KLASSISK reports.
Source: Magasinet KLASSISK
Dmitry Yudin wins Rubinstein competition
The Russian pianist Dmitry Yudin has won the prestigious Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition 2026. The competition, which is held every three years in Israel, awarded Yudin a prize of USD 40,000. Yudin impressed the jury with his performances, which included both chamber music and concerts with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Previous winners of the competition include prominent names such as Emanuel Ax and Daniil Trifonov. The Violin Channel reports.
Source: The Violin Channel
Operabase bought by Events.com
Operabase, one of the largest databases of opera information, has been acquired by Events.com. This has caused concern in the opera industry, as Operabase is an important resource for both fans and professionals. The platform, which functions as a kind of IMDb for opera, was originally bought by a Danish start-up in 2018. The sale to Events.com raises questions about the future of this indispensable resource. VAN Magazine reports.
Source: VAN Magazine
11-year-old wins violin competition in Bucharest
The American violinist Jayden King, just 11 years old, has won the George Enescu Competition in Bucharest with his performance of the Tchaikovsky concerto. King, who studies at Juilliard Pre-College, received a prize of 15,000 euros as well as the audience prize. The jury, led by Mihaela Martin, acknowledged his talent among participants from all over the world. King's victory makes him one of the youngest winners in the competition's history. Slipped Disc reports.
Source: Slipped Disc
New production of 'Werther' at Det Kongelige Teater
Det Kongelige Teater presents a new production of the French opera 'Werther', which explores Romantic ideals such as freedom and tempestuous infatuation. The opera, based on Goethe's novel, is regarded as a central work in the cultural history of Romanticism. The production at Det Kongelige Teater seeks to breathe new life into this classic and explore its lasting relevance in modern times. Politiken kultur reports.
Source: Politiken kultur
Montero donates prize to human rights defender
The Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero has chosen to donate her Pau Casals Prize to the human rights defender Tamara Sujú Roa. Sujú Roa is known for her work documenting human rights violations in Venezuela and has presented evidence to international courts. Montero, who received the prize from the Kornberg Academy, wants to support Sujú Roa's struggle for freedom and justice in Venezuela. Slipped Disc reports.
Source: Slipped Disc
Gramophone Awards 2026 shortlist announced
The Gramophone Classical Music Awards have announced their shortlist for 2026, which includes 66 recordings across 11 categories. Among the nominees are the violinist Isabelle Faust and the pianist Yuja Wang. The awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement in classical music recording, are presented in cooperation with Presto Music. The winners in each category, as well as special awards such as Artist of the Year, will be announced at a ceremony later in the year. The Violin Channel reports.
Source: The Violin Channel
Bass singer withdraws from stage opera in protest
A 43-year-old bass singer has chosen to withdraw from stage opera because of dissatisfaction with the industry's financial conditions. He describes how the economic realities of the opera industry make it impossible to sustain a viable career, with costs often exceeding income. The singer's decision highlights the challenges many artists face in an industry where pay has not kept pace with inflation. Opera Wire reports.
Source: Opera Wire
Bach Festival Leipzig backs Gardiner despite accusations
Despite accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards the conductor John Eliot Gardiner, the Bach Festival Leipzig has decided to continue its collaboration with him. Gardiner will conduct a performance of Bach's Mass in B minor at the festival in June 2027. The decision comes after accusations of boundary-crossing behaviour, but the festival has chosen to keep Gardiner as a central part of its programme. VAN Magazine reports.
Source: VAN Magazine