Page 115 - RPS Awards 2024 Coverage Book

spiritual and cultural sustenance in the wake of shattering global
events.”

Acknowledging the award, composer Illia Razumeiko said: “It’s a
surprise for us, because we’re not really a British opera. But it’s a very

nice recognition, because we were nominated alongside two of the
largest opera houses in the world with huge budgets. And our self-
proclaimed opera studio, which occupies 20 square metres in the
Composers’ Union, has won over these giants of the opera industry. We

are very grateful to all our partners.”

Composer Roman Grygoriv added: “In fact, this is not a personal award,
it is an award of Ukraine. Such things should be brought to the public
and we should be proud of them, because it is a real confirmation of our
resilience and responsibility for the cultural life of the country.”

Graham McKenzie, hcmf// Chief Executive and Artistic Director,

said: “We were extremely proud to host the World Premiere of this
stunning piece that opened the 2022 Huddersfield Contemporary Music
Festival as part of The UK/Ukraine Season of Culture. Arts and culture
play a vital role in bringing people together and it was a privilege to be
able to provide Ukrainian creatives with an opportunity for their voices

to be heard at a time when so many barriers and restrictions are being
put in place.”

The production received its UK Premiere at the opening concert
of hcmf// 2022, presented as part of the UK/Ukraine Season of

Culture. It was a critically acclaimed performance, receiving ★★★★★
reviews from the Times and the Telegraph, and a recording of the
occasion was broadcast for a month on BBC Radio 3. Having been
presented across Europe and in the United States, the award-winning
production continues to tour internationally.

About the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

Regarded by many as the BAFTAs for classical music, the Royal
Philharmonic Society Awards are classical music’s annual good news
story, shining much-needed light on inspirational individuals, groups
and initiatives whose music has lifted hearts and minds across the

nation.