Even after ten years, the classical music talent show Virtuosos continues to thrive with unwavering success. The latest season gifted audiences once again with unforgettable moments, exceptional talents and a world-renowned jury. In the international stage, young classical musicians from five countries — Hungary, Austria, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia — competed for the top prize. The milestone season concluded on 6 June with a stunning finale.
In the final, the contestants performed accompanied by the Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the world-famous Maestro János Ács. Their outstanding performances were evaluated by a globally acclaimed panel of judges: Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Dimash Qudaibergen, HAUSER, Erika Miklósa, Veronica Berti Bocelli, Yelena Dudochkin, András Keller, and Mikko Kodisoja.
The Winners:
At the end of the grand final, the winners representing the five nations were announced:
- Hungary: Gáspár Kelemen (violin)
- Serbia: David Božić (piano)
- Austria: Amelie Jade Knapp (harp)
- Slovenia: Lukas Grum (flute)
- Montenegro: Kristina Vasić (saxophone)
Silver medallists:
- Máté Paládi (piano, Hungary)
- Dylan Russell (cello, Austria)
- Mark Lev Krajnc (violin, Slovenia)
- Petar Nikolić (guitar, Montenegro)
- Uroš Adamović (violin, Serbia)
Each finalist delivered an extraordinary performance, and the jury praised their musical maturity, stage presence and emotional expressiveness.
Global Stars Enchant with Special Performances
This anniversary season was filled with unforgettable collaborations. In the final, one of the world’s most iconic songs, My Way, was performed by Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Dimash Qudaibergen and HAUSER – a moment that will remain etched in the audience’s memory forever.
Earlier in the season, HAUSER and Dimash mesmerised viewers with their emotional duet Stranger, while Bésame Mucho, performed by HAUSER and Plácido Domingo, brought the passionate spirit of Latin music to the stage. These special performances not only stood out musically, but also beautifully represented the spirit of Virtuosos – a celebration of music, intergenerational connection, and international unity.
The Hosts
The international grand final was hosted by Ida Nowakowska, Pietro Polidori, and Gabriela Rachidi, who guided the young talents with heartfelt professionalism. Their presence added to the celebratory atmosphere, making the finale all the more memorable.
Prizes and Recognition
The winners and silver medallists received several prestigious awards, including performance opportunities with our superstar jury members and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Amelie Jade Knapp, Dylan Russell, and Raphaël Bleuse will perform at the Il Divo concert on 25 June at the MVM Dome in Budapest.
Proud of Our Past – Excited for the Future
The 10th anniversary season of Virtuosos was a true celebration of talent, music, and unity. The outstanding performances, expert guidance from the jury, and the overwhelming support from audiences ensured this season held a special place in the history of the show.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us on this incredible journey – and we’re already looking forward to what the next season will bring!
You can watch all episodes of the 10th anniversary season at this link.