Guildhall School’s premier music prize was founded in 1915 and since the 1950s it has been open to singers and instrumentalists in alternate years. This year singers take centre stage, performing with piano and with Guildhall Symphony Orchestra, who will also present an overture from Smyth's The Wreckers.
Previous Gold Medal winners include Jacqueline du Pré (1960), Tasmin Little (1986) and Sir Bryn Terfel (1989).
Finalists:
Miku Yasukawa soprano
songs and arias by Strauss, Debussy, Ravel, Mozart, Verdi and Hayasaka
Michael Lafferty-Smith baritone
songs and arias by Schubert, Rowarth, Barber, Ravel, Poulenc and Korngold
Alexandra Achillea Pouta mezzo soprano
songs and arias by Messiaen, Santoliquido, Varèse, Ligeti, Ravel, Bellini and Szymanowski
Lorna McLean soprano
songs and arias by Cilea, Griffes, Poulenc, Strauss, Puccini, Mozart and Wagner
