Calliope Tsoupaki receives the Johan Wagenaar Prize for 2026

Composer Calliope Tsoupaki has been awarded the Johan Wagenaar Prize for 2026, marking the first time a woman has received this prestigious lifetime achievement award. The prestigious lifetime achievement award will be presented on October 16, 2026, during a concert by the Residentie Orkest at Amare in The Hague, where two of Tsoupaki’s compositions will be performed.

The Johan Wagenaar Prize is one of the most significant honours for composers in the Netherlands, recognising an artist’s entire body of work. The recognition of Tsoupaki with the Johan Wagenaar Prize underscores her significant contributions to contemporary music and her role in bridging cultural and musical traditions. Her appointment as the first female recipient of this award marks a milestone in the history of the prize and reflects the evolving landscape of the classical music world.

The independent jury, consisting of Pieter van Loenen (chair), Emi Ohi Resnick, Jorrit Tamminga, Maarten van Boven, Yannis Kyriakides, and Hanna Shybayeva, was unanimous in its decision.

Translation of the Jury raport
“Calliope Tsoupaki dares to forge her own path and has established a strong artistic identity. She has a substantial and highly personal body of work of exceptional quality. Her music appeals to a broad audience. She has found her own voice and is innovative in her projects. Each work embodies a unique and recognizable musical and compositional signature. The often lyrical nature of her works resonates with the audience. The jury praises the way she incorporates her own cultural background into her work. In addition to being a wonderful composer, she is also a vital advocate for new music. She is everywhere, attends many concerts, is highly visible, and is deeply committed to contemporary music.”

The award will be presented on Friday, October 16, 2026, during a concert by the Residentie Orkest conducted by Antony Hermus, featuring two works by Tsoupaki.
In “Falling”, she explores how we, as human beings, search for new meaning in a world that has become unstable. The piece is compact—just thirteen minutes—but intense and full of movement. “Thin Air” is a work born of compassion and solidarity. Originally written during the COVID-19 pandemic (and premiered in this orchestral version by the Residentie Orkest), it is so timeless that it may resonate even more powerfully now than it did then.

Guest Curator Dag in de Branding edition 77
Calliope Tsoupaki is the guest curator of the two-day festival edition of Dag in de Branding on October 16 and 17, which centers on the theme “Ars Nova.” She will present a wide range of the latest music from all eras. We’ll take a journey through Calliope’s mentors: her own teachers, her dream mentors from the past, and the young mentors of the future. In this tradition of transmission and renewal, the idea of Ars Nova takes on a living meaning.
More info and tickets here