Composition teacher Calliope Tsoupaki receives Johan Wagenaar Prize 2026

Calliope Tsoupaki, Main Subject Teacher Composition at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, has been awarded the Johan Wagenaar Prize 2026. She is the first woman to receive this prestigious Dutch prize for a composer’s complete oeuvre.

The Johan Wagenaar Prize is awarded once every six years and is considered one of the Netherlands’ most important honours for composers. Tsoupaki will receive the prize on 16 October 2026 during a concert by the Residentie Orkest at Amare in The Hague, where two of her works will be performed.

The independent jury unanimously selected Tsoupaki for her distinctive artistic voice, the high quality of her oeuvre and her strong contribution to contemporary music. The jury praised her ability to combine her own cultural background with an original musical language that connects with a wide audience. They also highlighted her role as an advocate for new music and her visible commitment to the contemporary music scene in the Netherlands and beyond.

In recent years, Tsoupaki has built an extensive and highly personal body of work. According to the jury, each composition carries a recognisable musical signature and reflects her willingness to follow her own artistic path.

The concert at Amare will also mark the opening of a two-day festival around the theme ‘Ars Nova’. As guest curator, Tsoupaki will present a programme featuring the Residentie Orkest and Ensemble Klang. The festival explores musical transmission and renewal, connecting past, present and future generations of composers and musicians.

Congratulations, Calliope!

Teacher profile Calliope Tsoupaki