The Opus Klassik, one of Germany’s most prestigious awards recognising the highest achievements in classical music, is presented by the Verein zur Förderung der Klassischen Musik e.V. (Association for the Promotion of Classical Music). Each year a jury of nine experts from the music industry and media chooses the best competitor in 27 different musical categories. This year, for the first time, the organisers have published a shortlist of outstanding artists, with the winners in individual categories due to be announced in the summer. Among this year’s nominees for the Opus Klassik are the tenor Jonathan Tetelman (Male Singer of the Year) and the pianist Bruce Liu (Young Talent of the Year). Both are also set to perform at this year’s 72nd Ljubljana Festival.

Jonathan Tetelman, currently one of the world’s most in-demand tenors, made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the 2023–24 season. He will appear at the Ljubljana Festival in Tosca, one of Giacomo Puccini’s most famous operas and one of the undoubted highlights of this year’s festival season. Tetelman will sing the role of Mario Cavaradossi, a passionate painter who finds himself embroiled in political intrigue and meets a tragic end because of his deep love for Tosca. Also appearing in main roles are Rebeka Lokar as Floria Tosca and Željko Lučić as Baron Scarpia. The musical accompaniment will be provided by the Slovene National Theatre Maribor Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simon Krečič. The event will take place at Cankarjev Dom on 26 June.

Bruce Liu is a gifted pianist and rising star of classical music who made his name with his victory at the prestigious XVIII International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2021. On 29 August he will appear at the Ljubljana Festival with the Kaunas State Choir and the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano, with a programme consisting of Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, featuring a famous and prominent cor anglais solo, Frédérich Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoire, and Gustav Holst’s popular orchestral suite The Planets.

Both events are expected to be among the highlights of the 72nd Ljubljana Festival and are not to be missed! Tickets are available online at ljubljanafestival.si and from the Križanke box office, petrol stations and other Eventim ticket outlets.