Tom Krause, honorary chairman of the jury
Baritone Tom Krause is the honorary chairman of the jury. He's known throughout the world's opera arenas but also as a lied-singer.
Jury 2009
Chair
Jorma Silvasti
The tenor Jorma Silvasti studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and in Frankfurt, Germany. Winning 1st prize in the Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition in 1982 opened doors to an international career. Silvasti began his career at the Krefeld State Theatre and later became an ensemble member of the Karlsruhe Opera from 1985 to 1988.
Members
Teresa Berganza
The Spanish mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza has enjoyed a dazzling international career. Most closely associated with the roles of Rossini, Mozart and Bizet, her stage performances combine technical virtuosity and unique musical ability with a vibrant stage presence.
Soile Isokoski
One of the most sought-after opera and concert sopranos of our time, Soile Isokoski studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, debuting there in 1986. She subsequently went on to launch her international career following triumphs at a number of international competitions, including winning 1st prize at the Lappeenranta Song Competition, 2nd prize at the BBC Singer of the World competition and winning both the Elly Ameling Competition and the Tokyo International Singing Competition.
Thomas Moser
The US-born, Austria-based tenor Thomas Moser studied at Philadelphia's renowned Curtis Institute of Music and later at the Music Academy of the West, where he was taught by Martial Singher. His other teachers include Lotte Lehmann and Gérard Souzay.
Jewgenij Nesterenko
The Russian bass Yevgeny Nesterenko was born in Moscow and studied at the Leningrad Conservatory under the tutelage of Vasily Lukanin. Winning the international Tchaikovsky competition in 1970 launched his career, gaining him an invitation to join the Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre.
Anna Tomowa-Sintow
Anna Tomowa-Sintow's long and illustrious career has taken her to all the major opera houses, festivals and concert halls from the New York's Metropolitan Opera to the Salzburg Festival, La Scala Milan, Covent Garden London, Paris, Vienna, Madrid, Moscow, Tokyo, etc.