What Is OPUS KLASSIK?

Updated

OPUS KLASSIK is the German classical music prize. It honors outstanding artists, recordings, and concerts each year across more than 30 categories, and its website (opusklassik.de) serves as the hub for news, partners, submission deadlines, and the annual gala weekend in Berlin. If you want to know what the award is, who it recognizes, or how to follow or take part in it, the essentials are below.

What the award covers

The prize describes itself as "the most important music prize for classical music in Germany." Its stated aims are to celebrate passion, promote innovation, and honor excellence. Recognition is not limited to performers — it spans artists, recordings (Tonträger), and concerts, which is why the category count runs above 30.

How the annual cycle works

The site organizes activity around a recurring yearly rhythm:

  • News — announcements of winners, program details, and event updates.
  • Submissions (Einreichungen) — entry deadlines for those putting work forward for consideration.
  • Shortlist — a published shortlist stage before final awards (the site references a 2026 shortlist).
  • Current awards and past awards — overviews of honored artists and projects, both for the current year and earlier editions.
  • OPUS KLASSIK Weekend — the ceremony and concert events in Berlin.

The 2026 edition at a glance

Item Detail
OPUS KLASSIK Concert 10 October 2026, 19:30, Fotografiska Berlin — listed as sold out
OPUS KLASSIK Gala 11 October 2026, 15:45, Konzerthaus Berlin — tickets still available
Lifetime achievement Martha Argerich
Bestseller of the Year Lang Lang, for the album Piano Book 2
Performers named for the weekend Jonas Kaufmann and Sarah Willis among the prize winners

Who it is for

  • Listeners and fans — follow news, the shortlist, and award announcements, and look for gala tickets if you want to attend in person.
  • Artists, labels, and organizers — the submissions section is the entry point for putting work forward; check the posted deadlines rather than assuming a fixed date.
  • Press and partners — dedicated press and partner sections exist on the site.

Practical notes

The concert for 2026 is already sold out while gala tickets remain available, so availability differs by event. The site is reachable in English as well as German, and contact is available at [email protected]. For current deadlines, ticket links, and the full list of categories and winners, go directly to opusklassik.de — those details change year to year.