Johannes Vermeer Award 2009 goes to

Pierre Audi (1957 - 2025)

It is with deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of Pierre Audi.

In 2019, Pierre was the first recipient of the Johannes Vermeer Award. He is widely acclaimed as an innovative director of music theatre and an inspiring artistic leader. With his exceptional sense of creative and theatrical cohesion, musical daring, and visual expressiveness, he built an impressive body of work of international stature. His influence on the cultural landscape is enduring.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones. We wish them strength in this difficult time.

The jury of the Johannes Vermeer Award

Marise Voskens (chairman)
Ted Brandsen
Margot Dijkgraaf
Natasja Kensmil
Bas Kosters

The first Johannes Vermeer Award was presented by the Dutch Minister of Culture, Ronald Plasterk, to Pierre Audi, Artistic Director of the Netherlands Opera and of the Holland Festival, on Friday the 30th of October 2009. Pierre Audi received this award for his outstanding achievements as opera director and for his innovation within the musical theatre genre.

Pierre Audi is a very talented opera director and an innovative artistic director. In the last twenty years he has enriched the musical theatre in The Netherlands with his internationally acclaimed oeuvre, receiving enormous appraisal both from his colleagues and from an ever growing public. Furthermore under his artistic directorship the Holland Festival program has been extended and innovated.

Especially for the Johannes Vermeer Award 2009 the artist Bernard Heesen has been commissioned to design a glass work. This work of art will be presented by Minister Plasterk to the laureate Pierre Audi together with the jury report on Friday October 30th.
Photo: René Zoetemelk

Award Ceremony
Photos © 2009 Titia Hahne

Award Ceremony
Photos © 2009 Titia Hahne