The European Opera-directing Prize (EOP) is an international competition for young opera directors. The aim is to offer talented directors help in launching their careers. The EOP is announced every two years. The first competition was announced in 2001.
The EOP - European Opera-directing Prize is an effective and sustainable collaboration between Opera Europa and Camerata Nuova e.V., a circle of opera lovers from business and society. The EOP was initiated in 2000 to find a new way to select and promote young directorial talent. Directors and General Managers, including Achim Thorwald, then director of the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Dr. Gerard Mortier, then director of the Salzburg Festival, and Klaus Zehelein, then director of the Staatsoper, Staatstheater Stuttgart, have contributed to the success of this project. Also the representatives from business and politics.