Jury

The main jury of the 13th Klaudia Taev Competition (2023):

Vesselina Kasarova (Bulgaria): Chairwoman of the Jury; mezzo-soprano
John Allison (UK): Opera magazine, Chief Editor; musicologist
Michael Barobeck (Austria) – Graz Opera, Casting Manager
Tamas Bator (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Program Director; bass
Florin Estefan (Romania): Cluj-Napoca Romanian National Opera, General Manager; bariton
Thomas Hermann (Germany): Nationaltheater Mannheim, Director of the Opera Department
Mariusz Kwiecień (Poland): Artistic Director of Wrocław Opera; bariton
Constantine Orbelian (USA/Armenia): New York City Opera, Musical Director: conductor and pianist
Laimonas Pautienius (Lithuania): winner of the Klaudia Taev Competition in 2003; Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Soloist; bariton
Erki Pehk (Estonia):  Artistic Director of the Klaudia Taev Competition; Director and art director of the festival PromFest; conductor
Frédéric Roels (France): Opera Grand Avignon, General Manager; stage director
Alain Surrans (France): Angers Nantes Opera, General Manager

The First-round Jury

Ferenc Anger (Hungary) – Stage director
Jānis Apeinis (Latvia) – Latvian National Opera, Soloist; baritone
Ruben Asatryan (Armenia) – Vocal Theoretical Faculty at Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan, Dean; conductor
Annemarie Burnett (Germany) – Hamburg State Opera, Artistic Operations Office
Luana DeVol (USA) – American Wagner Project, Director; Opera Las Vegas, Director Emeritus; soprano
Anna Elisabet Einarsson (Norway) – The National Academy of Arts, Dean of the Academy of Opera; mezzo-soprano
Rico Förster (Germany) – Agentur Förster, Agent
Göran Gademan (Sweden) – Gothenburg Opera, Dramaturg
Martina Gojceta Silic (Croatia) – Zagreb Academy of Music, Dean; soprano
Ivo Graca (Czechia) – Prague National Theatre Opera and State Opera, Head of the Artistic Administration
Riikka Hakola (Finland) – Vocal coach, soprano
Cristian Hodrea (Romania) – Opera Nationala Romana Cluj-Napoca, Soloist; baritone
Tamar Iveri (Georgia) – Batumian Rhapsody Festival and Competition, Founder and the Artistic Director; soprano
Kęstutis Jakštas (Lithuania) – Kaunas State Musical Theater, Stage Director
Jonas Janulevičius (Lithuania) – Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Chief Conductor
Evelina Pilipavičiūtė-Juraskiene (Lithuania) – Kaunas Academy of Music, pianist
Daniel Magdal (Romania) – Bucharest National Opera, Artistic Director; tenor
Eeva-Maria Kopp (Finland) – Finnish National Opera, Opera Coordinator; soprano
Franziska M. Kaiser (Germany) – Casting Consultant
Toomas Kaldaru (Italy) – Pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher
Beata Klatka (Poland) – Polish National Opera Teatr Wielki, Young Artists Programme coordinator
Jaakko Kortekangas (Finland) – Finnish National Opera, Artistic Administrator; baritone
Brigitta Kovács (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Manager of Co-productions
Marc Krone (The Netherlands) – Dutch opera and operetta stage director
Benedikt Nawrath (Germany) – Mannheim National Theater, Head of the Artistic Bureau; tenor
Hans Nieuwenhuis (The Netherlands) – Orfeo Foundation, General Director, opera stage director
Oksana Madarash (Ukraine) – Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre, Chief Conductor
Georg Malvius (Sweden) – stage director
Ērika Millere (Latvia) – Latvian National Opera, pianist
Isla Mundell Perkins (Germany) – Hamburg State Opera, Casting Director
Alexandru Petrovici (Romania) – National University of Music Bucharest, Head of the Opera Studio; pianist
Evelina Pilipavičiūtė-Juraskiene (Lithuania) – Kaunas Academy of Music, pianist
Oliver Ringelhahn (Austria) – Graz Opera, Head of the Artistic Administration Office; tenor
Henning Ruhe (Sweden) – Gothenburg Opera, Artistic Director
Anna Samuil (Germany) – Staatsoper Berlin, Soloist; the winner of the Klaudia Taev Competition in 2001; soprano
Peter Schünemann (Germany/Finland) – Advisor / Coordinator at PPPA Artists Services
Christoph Seuferle (Germany) – Deutsche Oper Berlin, Casting Manager
Benjaminas Želvys (Lithuania) – Kaunas State Musical Theatre, General Manager
Adam Tomšů (Czechia) – Prague National Theatre Opera and State Opera, Casting Manager
Steffi Turre (Germany) – Halle Opera House, Casting Director
Ivan Törsz (Germany) – conductor
Tarmo Vaask (Germany) – Staatstheater Nürnberg, Conductor

The main jury of the 12th Klaudia Taev Competition (2021):

Cynthia Makris (USA): Chairwoman of the Jury; soprano and voice coach
Thomas Hermann (Germany): Nationaltheater Mannheim, Director of the Opera Department
Plamen Kartaloff (Bulgaria): Sofia National Opera and Ballet, General Manager; Academic, stage director
Mariusz Kwiecień (Poland): Artistic Director of Wrocław Opera; bariton
Helen Lepalaan (Estonia): Estonian National Opera, Casting Manager; mezzo-soprano
Erki Pehk (Estonia):  Artistic Director of the Klaudia Taev Competition; Director and art director of the festival PromFest; conductor
Anna Samuil (Russia): Staatsoper Berlin; winner of the Klaudia Taev Competition in 2001; soprano
Christoph Seuferle (Germany): Deutsche Oper Berlin, Artistic Administrator
Alain Surrans (France): Angers Nantes Opera, General Manager
Stefan Vogel (Germany): Luzerner Theater, Director of the Opera Department
Tamas Bator (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Program Director

First-round jury:

Rita Ahonen (Finland / Switzerland) – Stretta Artist Management, agent
Bassem Akiki (Poland) – Wroclaw Opera, Musical Director
Andras Almasi-Toth (Hungary) – Hungarian State Opera, Artistic Director
Ashot Babrouski (Belarus / Poland) – Wroclaw Opera, pianist
Michael Barobeck (Austria) – Graz Opera, Casting Manager
Vyacheslav Chernukho-Volich (Ukraine) – Odesa Opera, Musical Director
Luana DeVol (USA) – Opera Las Vegas, Vice President, soprano
Gabriele Donà (Italy) – Staatstheater Mainz, Casting manager
Tetyana Dranchuk (Austria) – Graz Opera, Korrepetitor
Florin Estefan (Romania) – Cluj-Napoca Romanian National Opera, General Manager, baritone
Lars Gebhardt (Germany) – Lucerne Opera, Operndirektor
Martina Gojceta Silic (Croatia) – Zagreb Academy of Music, Head of the vocal department
Riikka Hakola (Finland) – operasinger
Zoja Hertz (Estonia) – vocal coach
Jonas Janulevicius (Lithuania) – Kaunas State Music Theatre, Chief-conductor
Walter Kobera (Austria) – Neue Oper Wien, Artistic Director
Jaakko Kortekangas (Finaland) – Finnish NAtional Opera, Casting manager
Brigitta Kovács (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Manager of Co-productions
Nadya Kurem (Estonia) – Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Head of the Vocal department
Toomas Kuter (Estonia) – President of the Klaudia Taev Competition
Perrine Madoeuf (France/Latvia) – Soprano
Henri Maier (France) – Opera Events, Artistic Leader, agent
Erika Millere (Latvia) – Latvian National Opera, pianist
Benedikt Nawrath (Germany) – Nationaltheater Mannheim, Artistic operation office
Hans Nieuwenhuis (The Netherlands) – Orfeo Foundation; stage director
Halina Oldakowska (Poland) – Wroclaw Opera, General Manager
Vera Petrova (Bulgaria) – Sofia National Opera and Ballet, Deputy Director; stage director
Evelina Pilipavičiūtė-Juraskiene (Lithuania) – Kaunas Academy of Music, pianist
Frédéric Roels (France) – Avignon Opera, Casting manager
Peter Schünemann (Finland) – Mikkeli Gergiev Festival, Artistic advisor
Raimo Sirkiä (Finland) – Operasinger
Dimitar Stanchev (Bulgaria) – Sofia National Opera and Ballet, bass
Jassi Zahharov (Estonia) – Estonian National Opera, baritone
Algimantas Treikauskas (Lithuania) – Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, General Manager
Ivan Törzs (Germany) – Hochschule für Musik, Detmold, Professor; conductor, pianist
Benjaminas Želvys (Lithuania) – Kaunas State Musical Theatre, General Manager; baritone

The main jury of the 11th Klaudia Taev Competition (2019)

Dolora Zajick (USA) – Chairman of the Jury; Metropolitan Opera New York; mezzo-soprano
Tamas Bator (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Program Director
Plamen Kartaloff (Bulgaria) – Sofia National Opera and Ballet, General Manager; Academic, stage director
Helen Lepalaan (Estonia) – Estonian National Oper, Casting Manager; mezzo-soprano
Hans Nieuwenhuis (The Netherlands) – Orfeo Foundation; stage director
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition; conductor
Marika Petti (Estonia) – Music Theatre Vanemuine, Casting Manager
Anzhelina Schvachka (Ukraine) – Ukrainian National Opera; Prizewinner of the Klaudia Taev Competition; mezzo-soprano
Christoph Seuferle (Germany) – Deutsche Oper Berlin, Artistic Administrator

First round jury

Erkki Alste (Finland/Germany) – Opera-Connection; Stretta Management, Manager
Ivan Törzs (Germany) – Hochschule für Musik, Detmold, Professor; conductor, pianist
Birgit Kronshage (Germany) – Hochschule für Musik, Detmold, Professor
Fabio Vettraino (Germany) – Hochschule für Musik, Detmold, Professor, pianist
Stefan Vogel (Germany) – Staatstheater Mainz, Casting Manager
Jenny Anvelt (Italy) – Milan Conservatory, Professor, soprano
Vera Petrova (Bulgaria) – Sofia National Opera and Ballet, Deputy Director; stage director
Zhorzh Dimitrov (Bulgaria) – Sofia National Opera and Ballet; conductor 
Boris Spassov (Bulgaria) – Sofia National Opera and Ballet; conductor
Velisar Genchev (Bulgaria) – Sofia National Opera and Ballet; conductor
Csaba Káel (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Chief Executive Officer
Brigitta Kovács (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Manager of Co-productions
Anatoliy Solovyanenko (Ukraine) – Ukrainian National Opera, Chief Stage Director
Alla Kulbaba (Ukraine) – Ukrainian National Opera, conductor
Martina Gojceta Silic (Croatia) – Zagreb Academy of Music, Head of the vocal department
Elena Skuleva-Naydenova (Bulgaria/Austria) – Opera4u Artist Management, agent
Petya Ivanova (Bulgaria/Slovenia) – Maribor National Theatre, soprano
Stane Jurgec (Slovenia) – Maribor National Theatre, former General Music Director, conductor
Michael Barobeck (Austria) – Graz Opera, Casting Manager
Bianca Luigia Manoleanu (Romania) – the National University of Music in Bucharest, soprano
Alexandru Petrovici (Romania) – Bucharest National Opera, pianist
Tomas Ladiga (Lithuania) – Kaunas J.Gruodis Conservatory, Professor; Kaunas State Musical Theatre, soloist; bass
Ričardas Šumila (Lithuania) –  Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Principal Conductor  
Benjaminas Želvys (Lithuania) – Kaunas State Musical Theatre, General Manager; bariton
Anna Elisabet Einarsson (Sweden/Norway) – Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Assistant Professor
Richard Klingspor (Norway) – Stellis Polaris Management, CEO & Founder, Senior Artist Manager
Alar Pintsaar (Estonia/Sweden) – Royal Opera Stockholm, bass
Clas Sköld (Sweden) – Malmö Opera, former Casting Director, bass
Emma Lyrén Fernandez (Sweden) – Malmö Opera,  Head of Corporate Development
Anna Samuil (Russia/Germany) – Staatsoper Berlin, soloist; Prizewinner of the Klaudia Taev Competition; soprano
Karan Armstrong (USA/Germany) –  Kammersängerin, soprano
Paul Mägi (Estonia) – Theatre Vanemuine, Music Director; conductor
Peter Schünemann (Finland) – Mikkeli Gergiev Festival, Artistic advisor
Rilla Kyykkä (Finland) – Finnish National Opera, Artistic administrator
Hovhannes Ayvazyan (Armenia) – Mariinsky Theatre, soloist; tenor
Harutyun Arzumanyan (Armenia) – Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, conductor
Viktor Moseikin (Russia) – Moscow Academic Musical Theatre, Chief of the Opera department, soloist; tenor
Arturs Maskats (Latvia) – Latvijas Koncerti, Program Director, composer
Elina Šimkus (Latvia) –  Prizewinner of the Klaudia Taev Competition; soprano

The jury of the 9th Klaudia Taev International Competition (2015)

Karan Armstrong (USA/Germany) – Chairman of the Jury; Kammersängerin
Erkki Alste (Finland/Germany) – Opera-Connection Alste&Mödersheim, Manager
Philip Bröking (Germany) – Komische Oper Berlin, General Manager
Thomas Hermann (Germany) – Staatstheater Nürnberg, Casting Manager
Sergei Leiferkus (Russia) – baritone; Royal Opera Covent Garden, soloist
Guy Montavon (Germany/Switzerland) – Erfurt Opera, General manager, stage director
Paul Mägi (Estonia) – Music Theatre Vanemuine, Music Director
Hans Nieuwenhuis (The Netherlands) – Orfeo Foundation; stage director
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, conductor
Peter Schünemann (Finland) – Mikkeli Gergiev Festival, Artistic advisor
Clas Sköld (Sweden) – Malmö Opera, Casting Director, bass

The jury of the 8th Klaudia Taev International Competition (2013)

Edda Moser – Chairwoman of the Competition, soprano 
Erkki Alste (Finland/Germany) – Opera-Connection, agent, manager
Henri Maier (France) – Opera Events, Artistic Leader, agent
Guy Montavon (Germany/Switzerland) – Erfurt Opera, General manager, opera stage director
Hans Nieuwenhaus (The Netherlands) – Orfeo Foundation, opera stage director
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, conductor
Peter Schünemann (Finland) – Mikkeli Gergiev Festival, Artistic advisor
Alain Surrans (France) – Rennes Opera, General Manager

The jury of the 7th Klaudia Taev Competition (2011)

Ingrid Kremling (Germany) – Chairman of the Jury, University of Music and Theatre Hamburg, professor
Erkki Alste (Finland/Germany) – Opera-Connection Alste&Mödersheim, manager
Henri Maier (France/Germany) – Opera Events, Artistic Manager, agent
Paul Mägi (Estonia) – Music Theatre Vanemuine, Chief conductor
Hans Nieuwenhaus (The Netherlands) – Opera Studio Nederlands, General Manager, stage director
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, Estonian National Opera, conductor
Vladimiras Prudnikovas (Lithuania) –  Lithuanian National Opera, Lithuanian Academy of Music, professor, bass
Alain Surrans (France) – Rennes Opera, General Manager
Peter Theiler (Germany) – Nuremberg Opera, General Manager  
Tatjana Zozulja (Ukraine) – Opera stage director, producer

The jury of the 6th Klaudia Taev Competition (2009)

Teresa Zylis-Gara (Poland) – Chairwoman of the Jury, soprano
Margarita Izvorska-Yelizareva (Belarus/Bulgaria) – Belarus Bolshoi Opera, Artistic Director, professor
Ingrid Kremling (Germany) – University of Music and Theatre Hamburg, professor, soprano
Rilla Kyykkä (Finland) – Finnish National Opera, Artistic administrator
Alain Nonat (Canada) – Artistic Director of the Théatre Lyrichoréga 20 Montreal
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, Estonian National Opera, conductor
Vladimiras Prudnikovas (Lithuania) – Lithuanian National Opera, Lithuanian Academy of Music, professor, bass

The jury of the 5th Klaudia Taev Competition (2007)

Barbara Hendricks (Sweden) – Chairwoman of the Jury, soprano
Jenny Anvelt (Italy) – Milan Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory, professor, soprano
Paul Himma (Estonia) – Estonian National Opera, general director
Ivari Ilya (Estonia) – Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, professor, pianist
Ingrid Kremling (Germany) – University of Music and Theatre Hamburg, professor, soprano
Yevgeny Nesterenko (Russia / Austria) – Vienna Music Academy, professor, bass
Alain Nonat (Canada) – Artistic Director of the Théatre Lyrichoréga 20 Montreal
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, Estonian National Opera, conductor
Vladimiras Prudnikovas (Lithuania) – Lithuanian National Opera, Lithuanian Academy of Music, professor, bass

The jury of the 4th Klaudia Taev Competition (2005)

Ileana Cotrubas, Chairwoman – legendary Romanian born soprano
Paul Himma (Estonia) – General Director of the Estonian National Opera
Ingrid Kremling (Germany) – Prof. at the University of Theatre and Music Hamburg
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, conductor at the Estonian National Opera
Stefan Sköld (Sweden) – Artistic Director of the Dalhalla Opera Festival, conductor
Alexandr Vedernikov (Russia) – Soloist of the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre, bass

The jury of the 3rd Klaudia Taev Competition (2003)

Virgilius Noreika (Lithuania) – Chairman of the Jury, Soloist of the Lithuanian National Opera
Alexandr Dedik (Russia) – Soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre St. Petersburg
Paul Himma (Estonia) – General Manager of the Estonian National Opera
Georg Malvius (Sweden) – Musical and opera director; Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, Conductor at the Estonian National Opera
Galina Pisarenko (Russia) – Prof. at the Moscow State Conservatory, Russia
Irma Rewell (Finland) – Chairman of the Finnish Opera Union, Finland
Urve Tauts (Estonia) – Soloist of the Estonian National Opera, Disciple of Klaudia Taev, Vocal teacher of the Estonian Academy of Music

The jury of the 2nd Klaudia Taev Competition (2001)

Irina Arkhipova, Chairman (Russia) – Prof. at Moscow Conservatory
Paul Himma (Estonia) – General Manager of the Estonian National Opera
Georg Malvius (Sweden) – Opera and Musical director; Professor at the University of Gothenburg
Virgilius Noreika (Lithuania) – Soloist of Lithuanian National Opera, Head of Voice Department of Estonian Academy of Music
Erki Pehk (Estonia) – Artistic Director of the Competition, Conductor at the Estonian National Opera
Urve Tauts (Estonia) – Soloist of the Estonian National Opera, Disciple of Klaudia Taev, Vocal teacher of Estonian Academy of Music

The jury of the First Klaudia Taev Competition (1996)

Ivo Kuusk (Chairman) – Soloist of Estonian National Opera, Head of Voice Department of Estonian Academy of Music
Silvi Baradinskas – Principal of Pärnu Music School
Andrus Kallastu – Manager of Pärnu Opera
Katrin Karisma – Soloist of the Estonian National Opera
Heli Lääts – Freelancer soloist
Linnar Priimägi – Lecturer of art at Tallinn Pedagogical University
Therese Raide – Pianist, accompanist, singer 
Jassi Zahharov – Theatre “Vanemuine”, baritone
Urve Tauts – Soloist of Estonian National Opera, Disciple of Klaudia Taev, Estonian Academy of Music, teacher