MusicalAmerica - 2025 Musical America Awards

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ANNUAL AWARDS

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2025 MUSICAL AMERICA AWARDS

Photo © Cyrus Allyar

Artist of the Year

As an internationally acclaimed soprano, Barbara Hannigan is famous for championing cutting-edge composers from György Ligeti to George Benjamin. Raised on choral singing and her father’s Billy Joel and Pavarotti cassettes in Nova Scotia, she established herself early as an artist of ferocious curiosity. These days, she’s more often to be found on the podium, pushing new boundaries as a thought-provoking conductor, even as she redefines what it is to be a musician. »

Watch Barbara Hannigan's Musical America Awards interview

Watch Jake Heggie's Musical America Awards interview

Composer of the Year

Jake Heggie is that rare phenomenon, a contemporary composer whose operas, and especially Dead Man Walking, have become a part of the canon. Audiences clearly enjoy his dramatically astute, invariably lyrical, and emotionally rewarding works. Known as a singer’s composer, Heggie has been fortunate in writing for his favorite voices, just one of the weapons in his musical armory. “Do your best work and trust,” is his advice. »

Photo © James Niebuhr

Photo © Ari Magg

Instrumentalist of the Year

When it comes to talent, Víkingur Ólafsson is as original as it gets. Born in Reykjavík, it wasn’t only his parents’ Steinway that attracted him. It was the way creativity was talked about in a home where music took the place of religion. These days he’s an award-winning recording artist with a string of cannily programmed albums. He’s also an in-demand concert artist with a repertoire from J.S. Bach to John Adams. It was a bold move to devote an entire year to a single work—Bach’s Goldberg Variations—but that’s what makes this insightful Icelandic pianist unique. »

Watch Víkingur Ólafsson's Musical America Awards interview

Watch Angel Blue's Musical America Awards interview

Vocalist of the Year

Angel Blue is flying high, as in demand at London’s Covent Garden as she is back home at the Metropolitan Opera. Recent achievements have included starring in the Royal Opera House’s new Aida and charming the crowds at the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms. Growing up in California, success on the beauty pageant scene taught her all about how to handle competitions, but her first love was opera, a career that didn’t always come easy. Fortunately, powerful role models within a loving family and an unshakable faith helped her to triumph over adversity. »

Photo © Dario Acosta

Photo © David Jaewon Oh

Director of the Year

Over 15 years, James Robinson transformed Opera Theater of St. Louis into a powerhouse for new work. Terence Blanchard’s Champion and Fire Shut Up in My Bones made high-profile transfers to New York’s Metropolitan Opera, where audiences had already applauded his classic staging of Porgy and Bess. Now he aims to do the same thing on the West Coast as he takes his vaunted skills to Seattle Opera. An inspirational creative artist, Robinson believes in giving contemporary opera time to mature. Only then can a commission make the successful leap from page to stage. »

Watch James Robinson's Musical America Awards interview

View past award winners

1.	LA Phil Restores YOLA Cuts for Now
2.	New Artist of the Month: Conductor Iván López Reynoso
3.	San Antonio Phil Cancels Concerts
4.	U.K.-E.U. to Open Borders to Touring Artists
5.	NEC to Launch Free Summer Chamber Music Program
6.	At the Takács, Changing of the Guard
7.	San Antonio Phil Gets Eviction Notice
8.	Met's Andrea Chénier: Fine Singing in Want of Stage Direction
9.	San Diego Taps Conducting Fellows
10.	New Conductors in Malmö & Edmonton

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