Jury 2023

Jurors of the 1st round (pre-selections) of Klaudia Taev competitions:

2023

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
Michael Barobeck (Austria) – Graz Opera, Casting Director
Tamás Bátor (Hungary) – Hungarian National Opera and Müpa Budapest, Artistic Advisor; bass
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
Thomas Hermann (Germany) – Mannheim National Theater, Casting Director
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

2021

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

2019

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

2017

The jury of the 10th Klaudia Taev Competition (2017)

Luana de Vol (USA) – Chairman of the Jury; Opera Las Vegas, Vice President, soprano
Erkki Alste (Finland/Germany) – Opera-Connection; Stretta Management, Manager
Tamas Bator (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Program Director
Jochen Breiholtz (Germany/Austria) – Theater an der Wien, Casting manager; Wiener Kammeroper, Artistic Director 
Thomas Hermann (Germany) – Staatstheater Nürnberg, Casting Manager
Henri Maier (France) – Opera Events, Artistic Leader, agent
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 
Peter Schünemann (Finland) – Mikkeli Gergiev Festival, Artistic advisor
Christoph Seuferle (Germany) – Deutsche Oper Berlin, Artistic Administrator

First round jury

Bianca Luigia Manoleanu (Romania) – the National University of Music in Bucharest, soprano
Davide Cicchetti (Hungary) – Studiomusica Hungary, managing director
Ferenc Anger (Hungary) – Hungarian State Opera, Artistic Director
Csaba Káel (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Chief Executive Officer 
Brigitta Kovács (Hungary) – Müpa Budapest, Manager of Co-productions
Martina Gojceta Silic (Croatia) – Zagreb Academy of Music, Head of the vocal department
Ivan Josip Skender (Croatia) – Croatian National Opera, conductor
Simon Krečič (Slovenia) – Slovenian National Theatre Maribor, Artistic Director, conductor
Bruno Berger-Gorski (Germany) – Stage Director
Luděk Golat (Czech Republic) – Stage Director 
Tatiana Tsybulskaya (Belarus) – State Academy of Music, Head of the vocal department
Alla Kulbaba (Ukraine) – Ukrainian National Opera, conductor
Aleksandr Dyachenko (Ukraine) – Academy of Music, Head of the vocal department
Anzhelina Shvachka (Ukraine) – Ukrainian National Opera, soloist, mezzo-soprano
Mykhalo Dutchak (Ukraine) – Lviv National Opera, chief-conductor
Lyudmyla Savchuk (Ukraine) – Lviv National Opera, soloist, soprano
Marya Khokhlohorska (Ukraine) – Lviv Opera, Head of Opera Stage Administration
Arturs Maskats (Latvia) – Latvijas Koncerti, Program Director, composer
Jonas Janulevicius (Lithuania) – Kaunas State Music Theatre, Chief-conductor
Algimantas Treikauskas (Lithuania) – Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra
Franziska M. Kaiser (Denmark) – The Royal Danish Opera, Artistic Administrator
Christiane Pesendorfer (Germany) – Deutsche Oper Berlin, Referentin desOperndirektors
Dominik Licht (Germany) – Komische Oper Berlin, Chefdisponent
Pavel Gerdjikov (Bulgaria) – The National Music Academy, professor
Alim Shakh (Russia) – St. Petersburg State Conservatoire Opera Theatre, chief conductor
Hannu Norjanen (Finland) – Cantores Minores, Choir of Helsinki Cathedral, Artistic Director
Maximilian Schattauer (Sweden) – Svenska Konsertbyrån, Managing Director
Ivan Törzs (Germany) – Hochschule für Musik, Detmold, Professor; conductor, pianist
Peter van der Leeuw (The Netherlands) – Dutch National Opera, Coordinator Talent Development Opera
Riikka Hakola (Finland) – operasinger

2015

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

2013

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 Leaderagent
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

2011

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

2009

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

2007

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

2005

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

2003

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

2001

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

1996

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