MusicalAmerica - Musical America Awards 2020

	The Salzburg Festival at 100 Festival of the Year Given the devastation inflicted by World War I and the disorientation that followed, the founders of the Salzburg Festival sought to create a beacon of culture for Europe and a new Austrian identity.
	Peter Mattei Vocalist of the Year The beauty of Peter Mattei's voice is just the beginning: he never allows us to forget what his characters are feeling. His latest role will test the baritone’s skill at finding beauty while delving into the dark side.
	Sharon Isbin Instrumentalist of the Year Sharon Isbin is a trailblazer, reconfiguring the guitar’s repertoire. She invariably brings a warm tone, precise technique, and a lively but thoughtful interpretive style to her performances.
	Joan Tower Composer of the Year Trained in an era when academic modernism reigned, Joan Tower developed from a composer of chamber works into a creator of dramatic orchestral music that can only be described as, well, towering.
	Danish String Quartet Ensemble of the Year The Danish String Quartet members bonded around a football stuck in a tree. “It was our first challenge as a string quartet,” quips DSQ violist Asbjørn Nørgaard. The foursome now faces a different challenge: a complete Beethoven cycle and recordings of the late quartets for ECM.