The King has approved the award of The King’s Medal for Music 2023 to Dame Sarah Connolly

Published 21 December 2023

I feel incredibly honoured to receive this medal from my peers, and from King Charles whose personal involvement in the Arts means so much. The United Kingdom’s musical influence is global, and cannot be underestimated. Our success will continue with supportive, loud voices.

Dame Sarah Connolly

Dame Sarah Connolly is an English mezzo-soprano, known for the breadth and richness of her work on the concert platform and operatic stage.

Born in County Durham, Connolly studied piano and singing at the Royal College of Music, of which she is now a Fellow. In addition to appearing in concert and recital Dame Sarah is a prolific recording artist, with her recordings including Elgar’s Sea Pictures and The Dream of Gerontius, and Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn, all of which won critical acclaim and awards.

Dame Sarah was invested as a DBE in the 2017 Birthday Honours, having been awarded a CBE in the 2010 New Year Honours. In 2020 she was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society in recognition of her services to music.

The King’s Medal for Music

The award was first established as The Queen’s Medal for Music in 2005 at the suggestion of former Master of The Queen's Music, the late Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. The Medal is awarded annually to an outstanding individual or group of musicians who have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation.

The nominating process for the award is overseen by a committee chaired by the Master of The King’s Music, Judith Weir. Since the accolade was last awarded in 2021, the award has been renamed The King’s Medal for Music. The Committee agreed that Dame Sarah is an exceptional artist, as well as an advocate for greater support for the arts and a role model for many across the music sector.

Commenting on the award, Judith Weir said:

“A world-renowned British singer, much loved by her listeners and admired by her colleagues; Dame Sarah is a passionate defender of musical education, the musical profession, and the art of music itself. It is very good news that we can celebrate her exemplary career with the award of The King’s Medal for Music.”

On hearing of the award, Dame Sarah Connolly said:

"I feel incredibly honoured to receive this medal from my peers, and from King Charles whose personal involvement in the Arts means so much. The United Kingdom’s musical influence is global, and cannot be underestimated. Our success will continue with supportive, loud voices."