Queen Elisabeth Competition 2026: Cello Takes Center Stage in Brussels

Brussels will host the third cello edition of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition from May 4 to June 10, 2026. The competition will feature 66 young cellists from around the world vying for top honors, with the Belgian National Orchestra accompanying the finalists during the final week. This year’s competition marks the 75th anniversary of the event and coincides with the 150th anniversaries of Queen Elisabeth and cellist Pablo Casals.

Competition Details

The competition begins on May 4th at Flagey in Brussels. Candidates, aged between 18 and 30, were selected from an initial pool of 185 cellists. The preselection process, held in late January 2026, required video submissions including works by François Servais, Felix Mendelssohn, Eugène Ysaÿe, and a solo piece or work with piano accompaniment composed after 1950. The jury was presided over by Gilles Ledure and included notable cellists Natalie Clein, Roel Dieltiens, Valentin Erben, Benjamin Glorieux, Marie Hallynck, Anssi Karttunen, and Jan Vogler.

Competition Rounds

The competition will unfold in three rounds:

• First Round (May 4-9): Contestants will perform a Boccherini sonata, along with pieces by Nikolai Roslavets, Josef Suk, Nadia Boulanger, and Kaija Saariaho.
• Semi-Finals (May 11-16): 24 semi-finalists will perform a recital and a concerto with the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, conducted by Vahan Mardirossian. The concertos will be by Michael Haydn, Leopold Hofmann, or Anton Kraft.
• Final Rounds (May 25-30): Twelve finalists will perform a commissioned work (learned in isolation) and a concerto of their choice with the Belgian National Orchestra, under the baton of Antony Hermus.

A Prestigious Legacy

Founded in 1937 by Eugène Ysaÿe and Queen Elisabeth, the Queen Elisabeth Competition has a long history of launching the careers of exceptional musicians. The competition seeks versatile musicians and is known for its prestigious jury, strict regulations, and extensive media coverage.

The ‘Casals’ Cello

In a special tribute, the Goffriller cello ‘Casals’ will be loaned for four years to the first laureate of the 2026 Competition, marking the 150th anniversary of Pablo Casals’ birth.

Tickets and Subscriptions

Subscriptions for the competition were available as of February 3, 2026, and individual tickets went on sale February 17, 2026.

Further information about the Queen Elisabeth Competition, including the calendar of events and details on how to support the competition, can be found on the official website.