The Gold Medal 2023

The final of Guildhall School's most prestigious music prize returns with a concert at Barbican Hall, offering the chance to enjoy songs and arias performed by four outstanding Guildhall vocalists: Miku Yasukawa, Michael Lafferty-Smith, Alexandra Achillea Pouta and Lorna McLean.

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. Previous winners of the Gold Medal include Jacqueline du Pré (1960), Tasmin Little (1986) and Sir Bryn Terfel (1989).

This year it’s the turn of the singers, who will perform with piano and with Guildhall Symphony Orchestra conducted by Richard Farnes. The evening closes with the adjudication by the panel and announcement of the winner.

The Guildhall Symphony Orchestra will open the second half with an overture from The Wreckers by Ethel Smyth.

This year's esteemed jury comprises Armin Zanner, Guildhall School's Vice-Principal & Director of Music, soprano Roberta Alexander, baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside, Askonas Holt director Sue Spence, and Michelle Williams, Head of Casting at English National Opera and London Coliseum.

2023 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