An afternoon at the opera! Prince Charles enjoys a special performance from a mezzo-soprano student before presenting honours at the Royal College of Music’s annual awards
- Prince Charles, 71, honoured top talents in the world of music in London today
- Handed out awards in his role as president of the Royal College of Music
- Talent awards included composer Debbie Wiseman and Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman
The Prince of Wales has visited ‘the jewel in the crown of cultural excellence in the UK’ to honour some of the top talents in the world of music.
Charles, 71, in his role as president of the Royal College of Music (RCM), handed out awards to artists including conductor and Royal Opera House music director Sir Antonio Pappano.
Also amongst the recipients included tenor Jonas Kaufmann, composer Debbie Wiseman and Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman.
RCM director Professor Colin Lawson described the organisation as a ‘jewel in the crown of cultural excellence in the UK’ and said it is proud to have the royal’s support.
Prince Charles, 71, shakes hands as he presents British composer for film and television Debbie Wiseman with an honorary Fellowship award at the Royal College of Music’s annual awards in London
The royal listens to music being performed as he sits flanked by Director Professor Colin Lawson (C-L) and Chairman Lord Black of Brentwood (C-R) during the Royal College of Music’s Annual Awards Ceremony at Royal College Of Music
Sir Antonio and Kaufmann were both made honorary Doctors of Music, while Wiseman and Portman were became fellows of the RCM at the annual ceremony in central London.
Sir Antonio has guided many students to the professional stage.
He commented: ‘I never would have thought from taking my grade 1 music exam as a youngster that I’d one day be receiving a doctorate from a world-renowned institution such as the Royal College of Music. Having this honour bestowed on me is humbling, yet brings such joy.’
Kaufmann, who was described by the New York Times as ‘the most important, versatile tenor of his generation,’ has won four Gramophone Awards for his operatic albums.
The Prince of Wales presents German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann with an honorary Doctor of Music award at the Royal College of Music’s annual awards in London
The royal and Jonas Kaufmann share a joke before shaking hands during the musical ceremony
The Prince of Wale handed out the awards in his role as president of the Royal College of Music (RCM). Pictured, presenting English-Italian conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano with an honorary Doctor of Music award
The 71-year-old looks animated as he speaks with award winners during a reception in the new Performance Hall, after presenting them with awards
The Prince of Wales presents German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann with an honorary Doctor of Music award
The royal presents the President’s Award to American student and mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra, from Chicago, during the awards ceremony
Prince Charles posing for a group photograph with award winners at the Royal College of Music’s annual awards in London
Portman was the first female composer to win an Oscar in the best musical or comedy score for the film Emma in 1996.
Meanwhile, American student and mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra, from Chicago, performed on stage after being presented with the President’s Award by Prince Charles.
After the ceremony, Charles was given a tour of the redevelopment project at the college site which is creating new performance spaces, more practice rooms and social spaces, as well as a new home for the RCM Museum.
The 71-year-old was also pictured speaking with award-winners during a reception in the new Performance Hall after presenting the recipients with their awards.
The 71-year-old speaks with Oscar winning British composer Rachel Portman during a reception in the new Performance Hall
The Prince of Wales smiles alongside German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann (L) and English-Italian conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano (R) after presenting them with honorary Doctor of Music awards
The royal looks in high spirits as he congratulates Oscar-winning British composer Rachel Portman
Prince Charles speaks with American student and mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra, centre, from Chicago, and British composer for film and television Debbie Wiseman, right, during a reception in the new Performance Hall
American student and mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra, from Chicago, performs on stage after being presented with the President’s Award