Germany’s OPUS KLASSIK Awards Names 2025 Winners

This year’s winners include VC Artists Timothy Ridout and Augustin Hadelich

The prestigious OPUS KLASSIK Awards (previously the Echo Klassik Awards) have been running since 1994, recognizing excellence in classical music. 

Ahead of the award ceremony this October, winners in 30 categories were selected from the shortlisted artists by an independent jury of experts from the music and media industries. 

Among the string players receiving awards include violinists Antje Weithaas, VC Artist Augustin Hadelich, and Leia Zhu; violist VC Artist Timothy Ridout; and cellist Abel Selaocoe. 

The full list of 2025 winners is as follows:

• Female Singer of the Year - Emily D’Angelo
• Male Singer of the Year - Benjamin Bernheim
• Instrumentalist of the Year - Antje Weithaas, Seong-Jin Cho, Lucienne Renaudin Vary
• Conductor of the Year - Joana Mallwitz
• Composer of the Year - Jüri Reinvere 
• Young Talent of the Year - Timothy Ridout, Hayato Sumino, Leia Zhu, Aigul Akhmetshina
• Orchestra/Ensemble of the Year -  lautten compagney BERLIN 
• Solo Recording Singing of the Year - Pene Pati, Golda Schultz,
• Solo Recording Instrument of the Year - Fazil Say
• Concert Recording of the Year - Igor Levit | Christian Thielemann | Wiener Philharmoniker
• Chamber Music Recording of the Year - Augustin Hadelich | Orion Weiss 
• Solo Live-Performance of the Year - Hayato Sumino
• Orchestra/Ensemble Live-Performance of the Year - Tenebrae Choir 
• Classic without Limits - TrioColores, Louis Philippson
• Classic without Limits LIVE - Abel Selaocoe | Manchester Collective 
• Symphonic Recording of the Year - Johannes Klumpp | Heidelberger Sinfoniker
• Choral Recording of the Year - Paul van Nevel | Huelgas Ensemble
• Opera Recording of the Year - Sophie Gordeladze | Marcus Bosch | Cappella Aquileia 
• World Premiere Recording of the Year - Oliver Triendl, Christiane Silber, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin
• Innovative Concert of the Year - Mozartfest Würzburg, Julien Chauvin | Le Concert de la Loge
• Tour of the Year - The World of Hans Zimmer – A New Dimension 
• Audiovisual Music Production of the Year - Alice Sara Ott 
• Video Clip of the Year - Eldbjørg Hemsing
• Innovative Listening Experience of the Year - David Chalmin
• Film Music / Score of the Year - Daniel Blumberg
• New Classic / Neoclassic - Pascal Schumacher | Danae Dörken
• Prize for Promotion Young Talent (child and youth work) - Werkstatt ‘Zukunftstöne’ | Ensemble Quillo
• Innovation Award for Sustainability - Staatstheater Karlsruhe
• Special award for curatorial achievement - Kirill Gerstein 

The jury comprised Michael Becker, Timo Buckow, Tobias Feilen, Stephanie Haase, Günter Hänssle, Elmar Krekeler, Raliza Nikolov, Sven Schuhmann, Dr. Kerstin Schüssler-Bach, Kleopatra Sofroniou, and Julia Ströbel Bänsch. 

“The 2025 selection highlights how vibrant, future-oriented, and diverse the classical music scene currently is,” said Schüssler-Bach. “The strong presence of young talent this year is particularly pleasing — they symbolize a new generation that is breaking new ground with a fresh perspective and artistic passion.” 

“This creative spirit of optimism is also reflected in the live music sector,” Becker added. “Live music is constantly evolving — becoming more interactive, more multimedia, and increasingly socially reflective. I am delighted that the new categories recognize the artistic courage and innovative spirit that shape and enrich the live classical music experience today.”

The awards gala will be presented in the Konzerthaus Berlin on October 12, 2025. The event will also feature award winners performing alongside the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and conductor Anu Tali. Tickets can be purchased here.