Sinfonia of London, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and the Gabrieli Players are among the winners of this year’s BBC Music Magazine Awards.
Led by Paul McCreesh, the Gabrieli Players triumphed in both the Opera of the Year and Recording of the Year categories. All this was for a performance of Henry Purcell’s King Arthur on the Signum label.
“I’ve long loved King Arthur, one of Purcell’s most glorious scores, but a work that needs careful handling and much thought,” said McCreesh. “Purcell’s thrilling music will hopefully cheer us all through many a long lockdown day or night.”
Meanwhile Jamie Barton – who previously triumphed at the 2013’s BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition back in 2013 – was named Personality of the Year. In particular, her performance at Last Night of the Proms and her advocacy for LGBT voices, was cited.
Oliver Condy, BBC Music Magazine editor, stated: “With these uncertain and disconcerting times casting a shadow over the arts world, awards such as these shine a vital light on the brilliant work musicians have done in the studio over the past year. The variety of this year’s winning recordings is simply staggering, from rediscovered operas to well-known masterpieces that shine anew.”
Other winners included John Winter and Sinfonia of London (Orchestral Award); Ivo Kahánek (Concert Award); Nicky Spence (Vocal Award); Andrey Gugnin (Instrumental Award); and The Choir of Merton College, Oxford (Choral Award).
The BBC Magazine Awards are voted for by the public. The winning albums can be heard in playlists on both Spotify and Apple Music.