The Johan Wagenaar Prize 2026 has been awarded to composer Calliope Tsoupaki.

The Johan Wagenaar Prize 2026 has been awarded to composer Calliope Tsoupaki. This prestigious lifetime‑achievement award will be presented on 16 October 2026 during a concert by the Residentie Orkest at Amare in The Hague. The programme will also feature two works by Tsoupaki.

The Johan Wagenaar Prize is regarded as one of the most important distinctions for composers in the Netherlands and is awarded in recognition of an entire body of work. The independent jury — Pieter van Loenen (chair), Emi Ohi Resnick, Jorrit Tamminga, Maarten van Boven, Yannis Kyriakides and Hanna Shybayeva — reached its decision unanimously.

Jury Report

According to the jury, Calliope Tsoupaki distinguishes herself through her unmistakable artistic signature and her steadfast commitment to forging her own path:

“Calliope Tsoupaki dares to follow her own course and presents a strong artistic profile. She has created a large and highly personal body of work of exceptional quality. Her music speaks to a wide audience. She has found her own voice and is innovative in her projects. Every work breathes a unique and recognisable musical and compositional signature. The often lyrical character of her pieces moves listeners deeply. The jury praises the way she gives her cultural background a meaningful place in her work. In addition to being a remarkable composer, she is also an important advocate for new music. She is everywhere, attends countless concerts, is highly visible (especially since serving as Composer Laureate of the Netherlands), and is deeply engaged with contemporary music.”

With this award, Tsoupaki becomes the first woman ever to receive the Johan Wagenaar Prize.

About the Johan Wagenaar Foundation

Since its founding in 1947, the Johan Wagenaar Foundation has been dedicated to promoting and recognising musical excellence in the Netherlands. Commissioned by the Municipality of The Hague, the foundation administers several music awards, of which the Johan Wagenaar Prize is the most prominent.

The prize is awarded once every six years and is unique in the Netherlands as a distinction for an entire oeuvre. Over the years, both the number and the profile of the awards have evolved. The foundation currently oversees the following prizes: the Kees van Baaren Prize, the Willem Pijper Prize, the Theo Bruins Prize and the Johan Wagenaar Prize.