Canadian composer honored for her string trio Papillons de Fontainebleau, a string trio inspired by the butterflies found in the forests and gardens surrounding the historic château.
August 24, 2026 (Napa Valley, CA) — Opus One Winery, one of the world’s most celebrated wineries, and the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts are pleased to announce Nora Popescu as the recipient of the 2026 Opus One International Prize for Composition. Her winning work, Papillons de Fontainebleau (“Butterflies of Fontainebleau”), was selected from a distinguished group of emerging composers participating in the 2026 Les Écoles d’Art Américaines de Fontainebleau (EAAF) summer program at the Château de Fontainebleau.
As the 2026 recipient, Popescu will visit Opus One’s Napa Valley Estate this September with fellow musicians from the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts. Joining her will be violinist Blues Zhang and violist Holly Bogle, members of the ensemble that collaborated with Nora on Papillons de Fontainebleau, which they will perform at a special concert. During her residency, Popescu will begin work on a new original composition inspired by Opus One’s iconic architecture, surrounding vineyards, and the energy of the 2026 harvest. The event will also feature 2025 prize recipient Sofia Jen Ouyang, who will conduct the premiere performance of her piece inspired by her residency at Opus One. These paired performances continue the artistic dialogue between Opus One and the Château de Fontainebleau.
Inspired by the natural beauty and biodiversity of Fontainebleau, Papillons de Fontainebleau celebrates five butterfly species – Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae), Burnet Moth (Zygaena transalpina), Blue Argus (Polyommatus icarus), Tristan (Aphantopus hyperantus), and Petit Collier Argenté (Boloria Selene) – found in the town, gardens, and surrounding forest. Long treasured as a retreat by French royalty, the Forest of Fontainebleau is home to more than 80 butterfly species. Their colors, movements, and habitats inspired the work’s five short movements.
Whether walking through the town of Fontainebleau, strolling through the château’s English gardens, or hiking the surrounding forest trails, visitors may catch a glimpse of these elegant and fleeting creatures. Through her music, Popescu captures their distinctive characteristics, transforming observations from nature into vivid musical portraits.
“In Papillons de Fontainebleau, I wanted to offer a glimpse into the different characters, colors, and patterns of some of the butterflies that inhabit the forests and gardens of Fontainebleau,” said Popescu. “Each movement explores the personality of a particular species, from moments of playful energy and dance to mystery, reflection, and quiet beauty. The butterflies are delicate symbols of the richness of this environment and of the importance of preserving it.”
A Canadian composer, pianist, and conductor originally from Toronto and now based in Berlin, Nora Popescu has established herself as an emerging voice in contemporary classical music. Her compositions have been performed in Canada, the United States, France, and Italy. Now completing her master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at Universität der Künste Berlin under Professor Harry Curtis, Popescu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study at Fontainebleau through the support of Opus One.
The Opus One International Prize for Composition was established in 2025 through a transatlantic collaboration between Opus One Winery and the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts. Each year, scholarships are awarded to promising young composers to study at the Château de Fontainebleau, with one recipient selected to receive the prize and residency.
“Nora’s composition combines imagination, craftsmanship, and a deep sensitivity to the natural world,” said Diana Ligeti, Artistic Director of the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts. “Papillons de Fontainebleau captures both the beauty of Fontainebleau’s landscape and the spirit of artistic discovery that defines our program.”
The Opus One International Prize for Composition initiative continues Opus One’s long-standing commitment to fostering artistic excellence and cultural exchange, reflecting the vision of founders Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, who believed that great artistry transcends disciplines and borders.
For more information about Opus One, visit: www.opusonewinery.com and for more information on Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts visit: https://fontainebleauschools.
About Opus One Winery
Opus One was born in 1978 from a visionary partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi of Napa Valley. Meeting at the storied Château Mouton Rothschild, the two vintners laid the foundation for a wine that would transcend borders: a singular Bordeaux-style blend crafted from Napa Valley grapes, brought to life through the collaboration of French and American winemakers. Bound by a shared commitment to excellence and innovation, they were not only creators of exceptional wines but also dedicated patrons of the arts. Their partnership was driven by both craftsmanship and culture, which led them to name their endeavor Opus One, a reflection of their first great composition as a wine created to be a work of art.
