On June 29, 2025, the RING AWARD 25 concluded with a spectacular final at Schauspielhaus Graz. Three international directing teams presented their visions of Act II–III from Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, demonstrating just how diverse, surprising, and moving opera can be today.
Both audience and jury were equally impressed and the international jury of 15 renowned artistic directors and music theatre experts faced a truly difficult decision. All three productions represented powerful artistic voices. In the end, however, one team distinguished itself in particular and was awarded the main prize “RING AWARD”:
The main prize RING AWARD is endowed with EUR 2,500 and includes a production at one of the venues of Oper Graz.
What touched the jury was “the strong juxtaposition of realism and elevated dream or nightmare worlds. The team has impressively managed to create their own cosmos and found a highly emotional access to the individual characters through and with the music.”
In addition to the main prize, two further awards were presented:
The Province of Styria Prize, endowed with EUR 2,500, went to:
Team Maria Chagina (RUS) / Anna Agafonova (ISR) / Sören Sarbeck (DEU)
The Bühnen Graz Prize, endowed with EUR 2,500, went to:
Team Franciska Éry (HUN) / Peter Butler (GBR) / Mathieu Cabanes (FRA)
Moreover, each of the three teams received a recognition fee of EUR 7,000.
The finalists’ outstanding work did not go unnoticed:
2 artistic directors took the opportunity to award a total of 4 concrete stage productions, including stage design, to the teams.
Jan Henric Bogen, General Artistic Director Konzert und Theater St. Gallen, to:
Max Nattkämper, Semifinalist of the RING AWARD 25
Team Maria Chagina / Anna Agafonova / Sören Sarbeck
Valérie Chevalier, Directrice Générale Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier, to:
Team Franciska Éry (HUN) / Peter Butler (GBR) / Mathieu Cabanes (FRA)
Team Giorgio Pesenti (ITA) / Giulia Bruschi (ITA) / Riccardo Mainetti (ITA) / Elena Patacchini (ITA) / Matteo Castiglioni (ITA)
Photos: © Susanne Hassler-Smith
