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ANNUAL AWARDS

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Artist of the Year

Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen has taken the world by storm with acclaimed performances from New York to London. Blessed with a sumptuous instrument that can fill the largest opera house, she’s been described as the voice of a lifetime. Adopting an analytical and methodical approach to her craft, she likes to think through all the possibilities and be prepared for the unexpected. But when she lays herself bare in front of two thousand people, the results are electrifying. »

Composer of the Year

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Kevin Puts writes symphonies with the narrative logic of opera, and operas that are cinematic in scope. His latest opera, The Hours, premiered at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House in 2022. Industry approval has earned him a Grammy and a Pulitzer, while audiences respond enthusiastically to music that has a way of touching the heart as well as the mind. A self-confessed softie, his music, he says, is designed to speak to our better natures. »

Sir Antonio Pappano

Conductor of the Year

Sir Antonio Pappano is music director at London’s Royal Opera House and one of the artform’s most passionate advocates. Next year, his symphonic credentials will be on display as the incoming chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. Born into a family of Italian immigrants, he grew up playing piano for his father’s singing students. With hard work baked into his DNA, he’s a fiercely driven, hands-on, practical musician and a mentor for some of the very greatest singers. »

Instrumentalist of the Year

Whether playing President Obama’s inauguration or breaking glass ceilings as the New York Philharmonic’s first Black principal, American clarinetist Anthony McGill is used to making waves. Recent performances of contemporary music include works by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, he has become a go-to soloist for composers wanting to write for clarinet. Post pandemic, the demand for solo performances, social justice work, and commitments as an educator and role model for young hopefuls mean he’s busier than ever. »

Ensemble of the Year

The Crossing is one of the most innovative choirs on the planet. Not only is the Philadelphia-based ensemble committed to issues of social justice, but the music they sing is brand spanking new. Conductor Donald Nally has crafted the group’s distinctive sound to create something ideal at revealing the interplay of vocal lines. Under Nally, their performances have increasingly embraced theatrical elements, while their recordings have notched up a staggering three Grammy wins in under 20 years. »

View past award winners