We are excited to see that several Rayfield Allied artists are included in the shortlist for this year's Gramophone Awards.
In the Choral category, Helen Charlston features in Dussek's Messe solemnelle with the Choir and Orchestra of the Academy of Ancient Music. Praised for its "fine performance from the well-balanced quartet of soloists ... A hugely worthwhile discovery of an unknown work" (Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times), it was labelled Album of the Week by The Times on its release.
In the same category, Carolyn Samson and Matthew Brook sing with The King's Consort in Purcell: Royal Odes released on Vivat Music. Both received a glowing review by BBC Music Magazine: "In ‘Welcome Glorious Morn’ we reach a higher musical level. Both Carolyn Sampson and Matthew Brook suavely maintain their lines against the ingenious but busy aria accompaniments…"
In the Opera category, the Academy of Ancient Music's John Eccles: Semele has been shortlisted, with Richard Burkhard in the lead role of Jupiter, Helen Charlston as Juno, and Aoife Miskelly singing Ino. "From her imperious opening entry to her rollicking final aria of triumph, her tone dripping with venomous glee, Helen Charlston does not miss a trick." "Aoife Miskelly brings a warm flavoursome mezzo [sic] to the role of Semele's sister Ino. Her singing of the plangent 'Turn, hopeless lover', strings sighing in sympathy with the voice, is a highlight." - Richard Wigmore, Gramophone
Also in this category, Paul McCreesh's Gabrieli Consort and Players featuring Mhairi Lawson and Carolyn Samson, have been shortlisted for their disc Purcell: The Fairy Queen. David Vickers from Gramophone commends "Carolyn Sampson's beguiling Night" and her "heart-rending singing of the Plaint", "Lawson's brilliant 'Hark the echoing air'", and "McCreesh's labour of love has abundant nuances and transcendent beauty."
You can read the full shortlist here.
