Antonio Pappano receives Distinguished Musician Award

17 January 2013, 18:01

Previous recipients of the award, presented by the Incorporated Society of Musicians, include Pierre Boulez, Jacqueline du Pré, and Simon Rattle.

Sir Antonio Pappano was awarded the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) Distinguished Musician Award at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House this evening. The award acknowledges his contribution towards music life in the UK.

Pappano is the 31st recipient of the award, which recognises musicians who have a great impact on UK classical music. He said he was very proud to be associated with the ISM and described its work to keep classical music alive as 'crucial'.

He said: “When I perused the list of previous ISM Award recipients I gulped!  To be included in such an illustrious pantheon is an honour."

Last year's winner, Sarah Connolly, is just one of a long line of illustrious musicians to receive the award since 1976, including Sir Mark Elder, Sir William Walton, Sir Michael Tippett, and Dame Evelyn Glennie.