Performer: Streetwise Opera

Under the baton of Harry Christophers and direction of Penny Woolcock, Streetwise Opera, The Sixteen, Sixteen Orchestra, backed by a number of Manchester-based organisations came together to bring a well-crafted Easter dramatisation of one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s seminal oratorios. 

Tête-à-Tête opens with groundbreaking community opera, an interesting piece of Jamaican history, and two superb solo operas from the talented Tim Benjamin, finishing on a high with the glorious Silent Jack. 

Kazuki Yamada, Claire Booth and the Paraorchestra were among the winners announced on Thursday, which also honoured contemporary music record label NMC and Belfast’s Open Arts Community Choir.