The German composer Heiner Goebbels has been awarded the International Ibsen Award 2012 at a press conference at the Norwegian Embassy in Berlin. In his citation, the Award's committee chairman Per Boye-Hansen, said 'Heiner Goebbels – creator of works for theatre, theatre director, composer, musician, teacher and festival programmer – is one of the great creative personalities of today. He is responsible for an astounding body of work in disparate disciplines and has exerted a profound influence on theatre practitioners and musicians.  His theatrical work extends from a large-scale work for the opera house to an installation for theatre without actors. Each piece is essentially different in character and form and each is genuinely ground breaking. He is a true innovator and his works defy conventional definition.'

Goebbels (b1952) is professor at the Institute for Applied Theatre Studies of the Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, President of the Theatre Academy of Hesse, and artistic director for Ruhrtriennale. His major works include Schwarz auf Weiss (1996), Surrogate Cities (1994) and Eislermaterial (1998). Much of his output has been recorded by ECM New Series.

Goebbels will be giving a talk at the Frontiers+ festival at the Birmingham Conservatoire on Thursday (10.30am) and will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate during the concert on Friday which features music by Goebbels, Wolters and Latimer. Full details of the Frontiers+ Festival.