Page 51 - Final_RPS Awards 2020 Media Coverage Book

Douglas Boyd, Garsington Opera’s Artistic Director, said: “All of us at Garsington Opera
are so proud of this production, and we’re over the moon that we’ve won this award. In
this year when we must celebrate the performing arts more than ever, we’d like to
dedicate this award to everyone who works in the amazing world of opera. We’re all
winners.”

A highlight of the 2019 Season, this production of Britten’s masterpiece was acclaimed
by 5-star reviews in the press and a hugely enthusiastic audience response. It featured
a starry British cast and was enhanced by stand-out debut performances by the children
playing Miles and Flora – among the most challenging juvenile roles in the whole
operatic canon.

Cast and creative team:
Prologue/Quint Ed Lyon, Governess Sophie Bevan
Flora Adrianna Forbes-Dorant / Elen Willmer, Miles Leo Jemison
Mrs Grose Kathleen Wilkinson, Miss Jessel Katherine Broderick
Conductor Richard Farnes, Director Louisa Muller
Designer Christopher Oram, Lighting Designer Malcolm Rippeth
Garsington Opera Orchestra

A filmed version of a live performance was shown on BBC iPlayer in the summer and
can be seen on our YouTube channel until 19 December. Click here to watch the opera

Garsington Opera is also delighted to announce that Louisa Muller’s award-winning
production will be revived in 2022 (cast and full creative team to be announced).

Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw received the Singer Award (supported by Jenny
Hodgson) for her leading roles at Scottish Opera, English National Opera and Opera
Holland Park. The jury said: ‘In a sensational year, Natalya has invested palpable
emotion and sheer vocal magic in the title roles of Tosca for Scottish Opera, Madama
Butterfly for English National Opera, and Iolanta for Opera Holland Park.’

Other RPS winners represent a nation of inspirational musicians: cellist Sheku Kanneh-
Mason raised in Nottingham receives the Young Artists Award for captivating listeners
worldwide; and the Scottish Ensemble receives the Ensemble Award for their
innovation and international reach in their 50 birthday year.
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Internationally-treasured composer John Williams is announced as the recipient of this
year’s RPS Gold Medal, one of the highest honours in music, recognising outstanding
musicianship since 1870. He has dedicated his life to ensuring orchestral music
continues to speak to and captivate millions of people worldwide. Accepting the medal
via video, Williams said: ‘To receive this award is beyond any expectation I could
possibly have. For any composer to be able devote his or her life entirely to the
composition of music is very fortunate indeed. I’d like to thank our musicians of our great
orchestras in London and in the United States with whom I’ve worked so happily for so
many years.’

Director Steven Spielberg sent his congratulations in a video recorded especially for the
RPS, saying: ‘John, you have brought the classical idiom to young people all over the
world through your scores, and through your classical training and your classical
sensibilities. You are in the DNA of the musical culture of today.’

The new Inspiration Award – introduced to celebrate the extraordinary music-making
that has uplifted the nation in lockdown – went to six winners: Concerteenies, Diocese