Princess Astrid International Music Competition

11/09/2026

It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the passing of Princess Astrid.

Since 1956, Princess Astrid has served as our patron. She took a special interest in the Princess Astrid International Music Competition and, throughout these years, closely followed young musicians on their journey toward professional careers. She has been an important symbol of continuity, quality, and commitment.

“Having Princess Astrid as a visible and steadfast patron has been invaluable to the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra’s work with young talent,” says Managing Director of Trondheim Symphony & Opera, Anne Kathrine Slungård. “Both nationally and internationally, her patronage has provided visibility and authority.”

Photo: The Royal Court of Norway

08/09/2026

Thank you so much for all your contributions, Oksana Lyniv!

04/09/2026

You can now watch this year's final concert on YouTube. Enjoy!

Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & OperaDiscipline: ConductingAge lim...

01/09/2026

We wrapped up a magnificent week with a conducting workshop led by none other than our Jury Chair, Oksana Lyniv!

Approximately 20 young conductors, including reserve participants from our competition, members of the Norwegian Conductors' Elite Program, and candidates who did not advance to the next round, took part in a skillfully designed and inspiring workshop filled with invaluable insights, practical guidance, and artistic inspiration.

A fitting conclusion to a remarkable week dedicated to the future of conducting. Thank you, Oksana Lyniv, for your generosity and leadership. 🌟

27/08/2026

The WINNER of Princess Astrid International Music Competition 2026 is

🏆 Matthew Rhodes (27) from the United Kingdom!

Matthew Rhodes holds a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. In the 2025/26 season, he did his debut with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, conduct a revival of "Die Fledermaus" in Sweden, and lead a production of Puccini’s "Turandot" in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture. He also worked with Malmö Opera on "The Shining" by Paul Moravec.

Rhodes has appeared with leading ensembles including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, and Malmö Symphony Orchestra. He has participated in major competitions such as the Donatella Flick and Mahler Competitions.

A frequent participant in international festivals and masterclasses, he has worked with renowned conductors and is supported by the Swedish Royal Academy of Music and several scholarship foundations.

The 1st prize is 200 000 NOK (approximately 18 500 €), a mentorship with Adam Hickox, and a concert engagement with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera.

Agata Zając (31) – Poland, won the 2nd prize of 50 000 NOK.

Elias Brown (31) – USA, won the 3rd prize of 25 000 NOK.

Congratulations to all our finalists with great performances in the final concert!

WFIMC news

26/08/2026

While we’re waiting for tomorrow’s final concert, we’re spending valuable time in our «Conductors’ Forum Academy». Here, a group of reserve participants, a group from the Norwegian Conductors Elite program, and the non-proceeding competition candidates get a chance to hear from and interact with members of the jury, industry insiders and each other.

The sessions are moderated by Florian Riem, The Secretary General of the WFIMC news.

The Conductor’s Forum Academy aims to empower the next generation of conductors by offering access to the expertise, insight, and mentorship of internationally renowned jury members. Through a combination of professional guidance, artistic inspiration, and career-focused support, participants are encouraged to develop their potential and navigate the challenges of a conducting career.

26/08/2026

The best Norwegian candidate on this year’s competition was Ingunn Korsgård Hagen. She was in our top six, and thereby won the Finn Audun Oftedal Memorial Scholarship of NOK 10 000.

Ingunn Korsgård Hagen has quickly established herself as an exciting new talent on Norway’s conducting scene, working with orchestras such as Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. She is scheduled to make her debuts with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and Semperoper Dresden.

From 2023 to 2025 she served as Assistant Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, working closely with Edward Gardner, Sir Mark Elder and distinguished guest conductors, and collaborating with internationally renowned soloists. She has also assisted Daniel Harding with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, as well as opera productions with the Royal Danish Opera and Bergen National Opera.

She has been a member of Talent Norway’s Dirigentforum, and participated in masterclasses with conductors such as Klaus Mäkelä, Sakari Oramo, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Jaap van Zweden.

Congratulations, Ingunn! 💐

25/08/2026

The finalists of Princess Astrid International Music Competition 2026 is announced!

✨ Agata Zając (31), Poland
✨ Elias Brown (31), USA
✨ Matthew Rhodes (27), Great Britain

They will conduct the final concert on Thursday at 7:00 PM.

Congratulations!

24/08/2026

Six candidates are advancing to round 2, taking place tomorrow.

Congratulations to Elias Brown, Kana Ide, Agata Zajak, Ingunn Korsgård Hagen, Mauro Mariani and Matthew Rhodes!

In the middle: Jury leader Oksana Lyniv.

21/08/2026

Meet our candidates: Mauro Mariani (32), 🇮🇹

Italian conductor Mauro Mariani , winner of the 1st prize at the 4th Almeria Competition, 2nd prize and Orchestra prize at the Sofia Competition (Sofia Philharmonic), is a 3 time Conducting Fellow at the Aspen Festival (Colorado), where he received the James Conlon Prize.

With his Orchestre Universitaire de Strasbourg, he led the French premiere of Dora Pejačević’s Symphony. He studied conducting with Nicolás Pasquet (Weimar) and attended masterclasses with Sofia Gubaidulina, Riccardo Muti, Renée Fleming, Heinrich Schiff.

He was selected by Paavo Järvi for his Conductor’s Academy (Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich), Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and Jaap van Zweden for the Gstaad Academy, Daniele Gatti for the Accademia Chigiana, by Peter Eötvös for the European Creative Academy, for the Cabrillo Festival (California).

Recently he debuted with the Lucerne Symphony, Junge Kammerphilharmonie Berlin (Berliner Philharmonie), Niederrheinische Sinfoniker (La traviata, Theater Krefeld-Mönchengladbach), received a Bayreuth Festival scholarship and was selected to participate in the Mahler Competition.