Classical music professionals honoured at RPS awards

Professionals at the Southbank Centre, Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Opera House were amongst those honoured at the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Music Awards 2015. English National Opera came home with the coveted ‘Opera and Music Theatre’ award for “consistently outstanding work” across its portfolio, marking a strong end to a difficult year that has seen it placed under special funding measures by Arts Council England and the resignation of both its Chairman and Executive Director.

The Southbank Centre’s ‘War Requiem’ project earned it the award for ‘Learning and Participation’. Hundreds of young people were involved in a performance of Benjamin Britten’s seminal work, supported by talks, participatory workshops and films. The project was praised for inspiring “wider participation in music-making during 2014… which created high quality musical experience and understanding”.

The Philharmonia Orchestra won the award for ‘Audiences and Engagement’ for the third time in six years, for its iOrchestra initiative. The project created immersive digital installations, including a “virtual orchestra”, for communities in the South West. The judges were impressed by its “innovative marketing” and the range of partnerships involved, and praised the way it left communities “enriched through increased skills and connections”.

The ‘Creative Communication’ award went to the Royal Opera House (ROH) for its ‘Opera Machine’, an online installation which combines footage from 17 cameras positioned backstage during Act III of Wagner’s Die Walküre. A further accolade was bestowed on the ROH when its Music Director, Antonio Pappano, became the 100th recipient of the RPS Gold Medal.

Presented in association with BBC Radio 3, the RPS Music Awards are “the highest recognition for live classical music and musical excellence in the United Kingdom”. Judged by independent juries, they honour performers, composers and inspirational arts organisations across 13 categories.