Jury 2020
Chair Gustav Djupsjöbacka, pianist (Finland)
Gustav Djupsjöbacka made his piano debut concert in Helsinki in 1978 and was a member of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra 1977–88 playing keyboards. He has collaborated with many Finnish top singers in Finland, round Europe and in the Americas. Djupsjöbacka is the Vice President of Sibelius Society of Finland and from 2020 onwards the leader of the publishing project of Collected Works of Jean Sibelius. Djupsjöbacka has served as the principal of Sibelius Academy and was awarded with the title of Professor in 2012. He was awarded with the Finlandia medal in 2006.
Soile Isokoski, soprano (Finland)
Soile Isokoski performes on the biggest stages in the world and is one of the most sought-after singers of our time. Isokoski has achieved international fame in Lappeenranta National Song Contest, International Song Contest in Tokyo and BBC Singer of the World and Elly Ameling -song contests. In 2002 Isokoski was awarded with the Pro Finlandia Medal and in 2005 with the State Prize for Music. In September 2008 Isokoski was given the title of “Kammersängerin” in Vienna.
Hillevi Martinpelto, soprano (Sweden)
Soprano Hillevi Martinpelto debuted at the Royal Opera in Stockholm as Cio Cio San in Madame Butterfly and has since performed on most of the world’s leading opera and concert hall stages. During her many years of career, she has made herself known as a Mozart interpreter and has sung many of his heroine roles. In 2004 Hillevi Martinpelto received the royal award Litteris et Artibus and in 2006 she was appointed royal court singer. She is also a member of the Royal Academy of Music.
Andreas Schmidt, baritone (Germany)
Andreas Schmidt started his operatic career at the Deutsche Oper Berlin after winning the Deutscher Musikwettbewerb -music competition in 1983. Since then he has sung numerous roles in Berlin, in the Deutsche Oper as well as in the Staatsoper. He has guested in opera and concert houses round Europe and in New York and worked with numerous international orchestras and conductors. In 1997 the senate of the City of Hamburg appointed Schmidt the honorific title of “Kammersänger”.
Iain Burnside, pianist (United Kingdom)
Iain Burnside has appeared in recital with many of the world’s leading singers. He is also an insightful programmer with an instinct for the telling juxtaposition. His recordings straddle an exuberantly eclectic repertoire ranging from Beethoven and Schubert to the cutting edge, as in the Gramophone Award-winning NMC Songbook. Iain Burnside is the Artistic Director of the Ludlow English Song Weekend and Artistic Consultant to Grange Park Opera.
