28/08/2026
Congratulations Matthew! 🙌
The WINNER of Princess Astrid International Music Competition 2026 is
🏆 Matthew Rhodes (27) from the United Kingdom!
Matthew Rhodes holds a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. In the 2025/26 season, he did his debut with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, conduct a revival of "Die Fledermaus" in Sweden, and lead a production of Puccini’s "Turandot" in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture. He also worked with Malmö Opera on "The Shining" by Paul Moravec.
Rhodes has appeared with leading ensembles including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, and Malmö Symphony Orchestra. He has participated in major competitions such as the Donatella Flick and Mahler Competitions.
A frequent participant in international festivals and masterclasses, he has worked with renowned conductors and is supported by the Swedish Royal Academy of Music and several scholarship foundations.
The 1st prize is 200 000 NOK (approximately 18 500 €), a mentorship with Adam Hickox, and a concert engagement with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera.
Agata Zając (31) – Poland, won the 2nd prize of 50 000 NOK.
Elias Brown (31) – USA, won the 3rd prize of 25 000 NOK.
Congratulations to all our finalists with great performances in the final concert!
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