Following an impressive final on Saturday 18 April 2026 at Conservatorium Maastricht, the winner of the 24th edition of the Music Award Maastricht have been announced. Four outstanding vocal talents brought the theme of love to life in an evening filled with musicality, emotion and vocal excellence.
Strong finalists
The final featured four promising vocalists, all of whom are students of Susanne Schimmack:
- Devon Baird – South African bass and Master’s student, noted for his distinctive and emerging voice.
- Francisca Djacabi – Portuguese soprano and Bachelor’s student, active in international opera and choral productions.
- Andrea Palomo Alcántara – Spanish soprano and Master’s student, specialising in Belcanto and Zarzuela.
- Mar Pino-Charlez – Catalan soprano and Master’s student, known for her versatility and expressive stage presence.
Winners
The first prize of €5,000 was awarded to Francisca Djacabi. The jury praised her exceptional combination of vocal technique, expressiveness and strong stage presence.
The Audience Prize of €1,000 went to Mar Pino-Charlez, who was chosen as the audience’s favourite of the evening.
Jury
The professional jury was chaired by Paul McNamara and further comprised Waut Koeken, Fenna Ograjensek and Aäron Wajnberg. They assessed the finalists on vocal technique, artistic expression and presentation.
An evening of love and talent
Under the overarching theme of love, the finalists took the audience on a musical journey through a wide range of emotions, from intimate and vulnerable to powerful and dramatic. The high standard of all performances made the decision particularly challenging for both jury and audience alike. Pianist this evening was Lionel Bams.
A collaboration between culture and business
The Music Award Maastricht is an initiative of Rotaryclub Maastricht in collaboration with Conservatorium Maastricht. Thanks to the support of sponsors, young and promising musicians are given a मंच and the opportunity to further develop their careers.
More information about the event, the finalists and the jury can be found here.
