The Austrian Music Prize has announced its 2026 winners.

As previously announced, the Special “Life time achievement” award was given to KS Anja Silja, while the Grand Prix of the jury was awarded to Markus Hinterhäuser. The Special award “International” was awarded to legendary baritone KS Leo Nucci.

The Best female leading role award was given to Asmik Gregorian for her portrayal of “Norma” at the Theater an der Wien, while the Best male leading role accolade was designated to Michael Spyres for his work in the Wiener Staatsoper’s “Palestrina.”

Patricia Nolz was given the Best female supporting role prize for “Palestrina” at the Wiener Staatsoper and Jörg Schneider won the Best male supporting role award for his work in “Drei Schwestern” at the Salzburger Festspiele.

The Best Musical Direction was awarded to Maxime Pascal for “Drei Schwestern” at the Salzburger Festspiele, while the Best Direction was awarded to Klaus Guth for “Blaubart / Die menschliche Stimme” at the Festspiele Erl.

Jasmin White and Benjamin Chamandy both received awards for Best Newcomer.

Full List of Winners Below: 

Special award “Life time achievement”
KS Anja Silja
Grand Prix of the jury
Markus Hinterhäuser
Special prize cross over
Nils Strunk
Special award “International”
KS Leo Nucci
Special award “Photo”
Axel Zeininger
Special award “International cultural engagment”
Prof. QIN Wenchen
Best female leading role
Asmik Gregorian – Norma – “Norma” Theater an der Wien
Best male leading role
Michael Spyres – Giovanni Pierllugei Palestrina – “Palestina” – Wiener Staatsoper
Best female supporting role
Patricia Nolz – Silla – “Palestrina” – Wiener Staatsoper
Best male supporting role
Jörg Schneider – Doktor – “Drei Schwestern” – Salzburger Festspiele
Best equipement
Christian Schmidt – “Tannhäuser” – Oper Graz
Best Musical Direction
Maxime Pascal – “Drei Schwestern” – Salzburger Festspiele
Best Direction
Klaus Guth – “Blaubart / Die menschliche Stimme” – Festspiele Erl
Best newcomer
Jasmin White – Volksoper Wien
Benjamin Chamandy – Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck
Best production dance
“Kaiserrequiem” – Volksoper Wien
Best overall production opera
“Zaide” – Salzburger Festspiele
Best overall production operetta
“Waldmeister” – Johann Strauß 2025 Wien
Best overall production musical
“Briefe von Ruth” – Kammeroper Wien
Best overall production youth
Brundibár” – Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck
Best first / premiere performance
“Alma” – Volksoper Wien
Best off-production
“Eurobronski” – Bronski und Grünberg