The Salzburg Easter Festival has announced the recipients of the 2026 Herbert von Karajan Award, with three singers — Jasmin White, Le Bu and Konstantin Krimmel — honoured as part of this year’s edition. The prize, endowed with €50,000 and donated by the Karajan family, forms part of the festival’s broader programme and is linked to the artists’ participation in current productions and concerts.
The announcement comes as the festival opened its 2026 edition, marking the return of the Berliner Philharmoniker and the beginning of a new Ring cycle under Kirill Petrenko.
Jasmin White: Erda in Das Rheingold
American contralto Jasmin White appears in this year’s new staging of Das Rheingold as Erda. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a graduate of the Juilliard School’s Opera Studies programme, White has gained international attention in recent seasons, including first prize at the Queen Sonja Singing Competition and further recognition at the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
Their recent engagements include appearances at the Volksoper Wien and performances with institutions such as the Dutch National Opera. White made their Salzburg debut in 2025 and returns this year as part of the festival’s central operatic production.
Konstantin Krimmel: concert and song repertoire
German-Romanian baritone Konstantin Krimmel appears in the festival’s choral programme, including Die Schöpfung. A member of the Bayerische Staatsoper ensemble since 2021, he has built a career that combines operatic roles with an extensive recital activity.
Krimmel has worked with conductors including Simon Rattle, Christian Thielemann and Philippe Herreweghe, and was named Singer of the Year at the Opus Klassik Awards in 2024. His appearance in Salzburg marks his debut at the Easter Festival.
Le Bu: Fasolt in the new Ring cycle
Chinese bass-baritone Le Bu performs the role of Fasolt in Das Rheingold, as well as appearing in the festival’s choral concerts. A winner of both the Operalia competition (2024) and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, he has already appeared at major institutions including the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera and Santa Fe Opera.
His upcoming engagements include debuts at the Opéra national de Paris and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
A prize within the festival’s new chapter
The Herbert von Karajan Award is presented within the framework of the Salzburg Easter Festival and highlights artists taking part in its productions. In 2026, its recipients are closely linked to the festival’s central programme, which is built around the launch of a new Ring cycle and a series of orchestral and choral performances with the Berliner Philharmoniker.
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