Intermezzo

Sir Tony scoops up ISM award

The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) today awarded its 2012 Distinguished Musician award to Sir Antonio Pappano in recognition of his outstanding contribution to musical life in the UK.  He joins a roster of some of the greatest names in music - previous recipients have included Dame Janet Baker, Pierre Boulez, Jacqueline du Pre, Sir William Walton, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Colin Davis and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.

Suzi Digby OBE, President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, said: ‘In offering Sir Antonio Pappano its Distinguished Musician Award for 2012, the ISM is acknowledging the immense contribution he has made and continues to make to the UK’s musical life.”

In the ISM's press release Sir Tony said: “When I perused the list of previous ISM Award recipients I gulped! To be included in such an illustrious pantheon is an honour. The Society does crucial work to keep classical music alive, well and relevant in this country, especially for young people, so I am very proud indeed to be associated with it” - sentiments he reiterated when he was presented with the treble clef-shaped award earlier this evening at the Royal Opera House.

He did have one question though: "Is there a bass-shaped one for bad musicians as well?"

Muti's $1m secret

Riccardo Muti ruffled a few press feathers earlier today when he refused to tell journalists assembled in Stockholm for the Birgit Nilsson Award how he plans to spend the $1m prize money.  He said he doesn't yet know, and when he does, he won't be telling the world, because it's a private matter.  He dismissed any talk of the money as "vulgar". He also refused to confirm whether he'll use the sum for charitable purposes, as the award's previous recipient Placido Domingo pledged to do.

Muti never actually performed with Nilsson, but he told the press he admired her so much he took a 3 hour train ride to hear her in Fidelio in 1978. Later he heard her as Elektra, Turandot and Isolde and each time was struck by the beauty, power and delicacy of her voice.

**** UPDATE ****

Part of the press conference:

Part of the award ceremony; Sondra Radvanovsky sings:

 

Daniel Barenboim gets knighthood

Daniel Barenboim adds to his many gongs by accepting a knighthood from the British ambassador to Berlin later today. The honour has been awarded in recognition of his work towards reconciliation in the Middle East through music.

He becomes an honorary Knight Commander (KBE) - but he won't get a 'Sir' title as none of his many passports is British.

The KBE is the highest honour that can be accorded to foreign citizens.

The maestro said he was "deeply touched" by the honour.

Riccardo Muti is $1m richer

Following in the footsteps of Plácido Domingo, Riccardo Muti is to receive the second-ever Birgit Nilsson prize, a fat $1m.

Maestro Muti has been chosen "for his extraordinary contributions in opera and concert, as well as his enormous influence in the music world both on and off the stage".

Domingo channelled his award towards deserving young singers by using it to fund a Wagner category in his annual Operalia competition.  Arts organisations facing drastic cuts must be hoping multi-millionaire Muti will be equally generous with his windfall.

a platter of assorted cheese - the Classical Brits from behind the trenches

Sporting a flattering pale blonde do, chatting to her table-mate Immodesty Blaize, and chugging her bodyweight in unidentified liquids, Natalie Dessay was one of the lower-profile guests at the annual cheesefest that is the Classical Brits, held on Thursday night at the Royal Albert Hall.

Pope up for Classical Brit

Holy unlikely, but true. The Popetown Massive may be on their way to the Royal Albert Hall, as B16's latest release, Alma Mater - Music From the Vatican, has been nominated for Album of the Year in the 2010 Classical Brit Awards.

Whether he has a prayer against the likes of Rhydian Roberts, Faryl Smith and his own homies, The Priests, remains to be seen.

Prevent an unholy iniquity by voting for Rhydian on classicfm.co.uk/music by April 23.

2010 Olivier Awards shortlist announced

Nominations for the 2010 Olivier Awards (which celebrate, er, 2009 shows) were announced today.

Up for Best New Opera Production are the Royal Opera House's Der fliegende Holländer, Lulu and Tristan und Isolde against a lone ENO representative, Peter Grimes.

The contenders for Outstanding Achievement in Opera are this year all singers (where is Pappano?). And all from the Best New Opera shortlist, which should cut the canape bill. Anja Kampe gets the nod for Der fliegende Holländer, Stuart Skelton for Peter Grimes, Nina Stemme for Tristan und Isolde and the industrious Michael Volle for both Lulu and Tristan und Isolde.

Any of them would be worthy winners, though I suspect the controversy about the Royal Opera's efforts might lead the jury to end up with the only universally-acclaimed production on the list, Peter Grimes.

The Olivier Awards, just to remind you, are not intended to reflect popularity (the punter-picked Audience Award shortlisted Wicked, The Phantom Of The Opera, We Will Rock You, War Horse and Billy Elliot The Musical). Nor, with Keira Knightley up for an acting award and Rupert Goold for directing (no points deducted for Turandot?) can there be a great deal of critical acumen involved.

Personally, I'd like to see Michael Volle rewarded, not just because of his remarkable singing, but for the generosity of his performances. And I'd love Lulu to win something so the ROH are forced to bring it back.