News

We’re delighted to announce Purcell King Arthur 1691 has won both the Opera Award and Recording of the Year at the 2020 BBC Music Magazine Awards! This is Gabrieli’s first win in both the Opera category, and of the coveted top prize, Recording of the Year. Released in October 2019, our double-CD of the composer’s beloved patriotic semi-opera has garnered multiple five-star reviews, including from the BBC, and has been hailed as ‘radiant’ (Financial Times) and ‘as accomplished and richly satisfying an experience as anyone could hope for’ (Opera).

2020 marks the 15th annual presentation of the BBC Music Magazine Awards, which are currently the only classical music awards in which category winners are voted for by the public. Winners in each category are then considered for four further awards, including Recording of the Year, making Purcell King Arthur 1691 a firm favourite amongst public and jury alike.

Oliver Condy, Editor of the BBC Music Magazine, in his citation to Recording of the Year, writes, ‘With these uncertain and disconcerting times casting a shadow over the arts, awards such as the BBC Music Magazine‘s shine a vital light on the brilliant work our musicians have done in the studio over the past year. Gabrieli’s triumphant King Arthur is the pinnacle of recording ambition and achievement – their award is richly deserved.’

You can watch the BBC’s official announcements for both the Opera Award and Recording of the Year below, to read more about the disc and survey further critical press click here, or if you haven’t yet purchased your copy click here. . .

BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020: Opera Award from BBC Music Magazine on Vimeo.

BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020: Recording of the Year from BBC Music Magazine on Vimeo.