The world premiere recording of Dame Ethel Smyth’s The Prison has won the GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album at this year’s awards. Described by Limelight’s Justine Nguyen as “a sweeping symphony for soprano, bass-baritone, chorus, and orchestra” and “a valuable recording worth discovering” the recording – by soprano Sarah Brailey, bass-baritone Dashon Burton and the Experiential Orchestra and Chorus under James Blachly –  is the first time music by the British composer, who died in 1944, has been honoured at the GRAMMY Awards. It was selected as one of Limelight’s Editor’s Choice recordings in October 2020.

Ethel Smyth The Prisone Album Artwork

Gustavo Dudamel won the GRAMMY for Best Orchestral Performance for his recording of the complete Charles Ives symphonies with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, while the Metropolitan Opera’s Porgy and Bess won Best Opera Recording. The Met’s recording with soprano Angel Blue and bass-baritone Eric Owens in the title roles (and also featuring tenor Frederick Ballentine, mezzo Denyce Graves and soprano Latonia Moore) was taken from performances on the 2019-2020 season conducted by former Sydney Symphony Orchestra Chief David Robertson. This is Robertson’s second GRAMMY, following...