The fifth edition of the MIDEM Classical Awards, which took place Tuesday evening in Cannes as part of MIDEM (International Music Market, January 18-21), honored 36 albums and 9 DVDs selected from 127 international labels from 23 countries.
A heartfelt tribute was paid to the famous Italian tenor Carlo Bergonzi, world-renowned for his phenomenal career (alongside Maria Callas and Herbert von Karajan) and especially for his interpretations of the Verdi repertoire. During the ceremony, from the hands of the young German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, who was present for the occasion, he received a special MIDEM Prize honoring his entire career. Archive footage of a performance of “Un Ballo in Maschera” that he gave in Tokyo in 1967 allowed the numerous audience at the Palais des Festivals to hear Carlo Bergonzi sing one of his favorite arias, “Ma se m’è forza perderti,” and to give him a very moving standing ovation.
The evening’s program featured the enchanting timbre of French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, voted “Lyrical Artist of the Year,” in the famous aria “Alto Giove” by N. Porpora, as well as the great Finnish cellist Anssi Karttunen in an interpretation of “Sparks” by K. Saariaho. French pianist Lise de la Salle performed the finale of Mozart’s “Jeunehomme” Concerto, while Christoph Prégardien offered his rendition of the opera aria “Anima del Filosofo” by J. Haydn.
The young English flutist Adam Walker won the Award in the “Newcomer of the Year” category, while the German pianist Michael Korstick was the jury’s favorite for his recording of Beethoven’s sonatas with Oehms Classics. The extraordinary violinist Julia Fischer was named “Instrumental Artist of the Year.” Sabine Meyer, a German clarinetist, surprised the audience by performing the Andante from the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, and finally, Sony Masterworks was named “Label of the Year,” represented here by the exceptional American guitarist Sharon Isbin.
This evening also unveiled one of the hidden talents of Lise de la Salle, who presented the evening alongside James Jolly at the Debussy Auditorium in the Palais des Festivals. This fifth edition of the MIDEM Classical Awards was distinguished by its extremely prestigious musical lineup, including the presence of the Cannes Alpes Provence Côte d’Azur Orchestra, conducted by Philippe Bender, making this ceremony one of the highlights of the 43rd MIDEM.
