Soprano Louise Alder, conductor Paul McCreesh and composer Roxanna Panufnik are among the musicians and dancers receiving awards in the King's Birthday Honours list, announced on Friday 12th June.
“I am somewhat flabbergasted and just utterly elated,” said Lousie Alder on her Facebook Page. She was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to music. Currently appearing as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro at the Royal Opera, she returns to the BBC Proms this summer after her appearance at the Last Night of the Proms in 2025.
Paul McCreesh, Artistic Director of Gabrieli, the vocal consort and period instrument ensemble which he founded almost 50 years ago, has been awarded a CBE for services to music and music education. “I am delighted and honoured that my work over many years has been recognised in this way,” he said. He also paid tribute to the teachers and young people he has worked alongside during his work with Gabrieli Roar, one of the UK’s largest youth choral singing programmes.
Composer Roxanna Panufnik has been awarded an OBE for her services to music and charity. Many of her works have been written to benefit various charities, including choral charities and refugee charities in recognition of the story of her father – the Polish composer Andrzej Panufnik – and his defection to the UK in the 1950s.
Also receiving a CBE is Anthony Negus, Music Director of Longborough Festival Opera since 2000. His interpretation of Wagnerʼs operas, particularly Longboroughʼs full-length Ring Cycles, has led to the festival becoming known as the “English Bayreuth”, establishing it as a destination for Wagnerians in the UK and abroad.
Musician, broadcaster and writer Diana Ambache receives an MBE for her services to music and education. Her pioneering work bringing historical women composers to public attention through research, performances and recordings led to the establishment of Ambache Charitable Trust, now the RPS Ambache Fund, established over 40 years ago.
Director and choreographer Aletta Collins receives an OBE for services to dance. Working internationally in theatre, opera and ballet, her work has been seen on the biggest stages in the UK. Bachtrack most recently reviewed her work on Salome with Regent's Opera at York Hall in London, a former boxing venue. “Collins choreographs the Dance of the Seven Veils as something between a tease – winding up Herodias by stealing her heels – and an act of self-pleasure, rubbing herself with the bag that had been over Joachanaan’s head,” said Bachtrack editor Mark Pullinger.
The Kingʼs Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK and are published at New Year and on the King’s official birthday in June. Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. The list is decided by an honours committee; the committee’s recommendations go to the Prime Minister and then to the King, who awards the honour.
