Human Trafficking Opera Anya 17 Nominated for Top Music Award
Hot on the heels of Anya17’s recent Best Stage or Film Production Media Award win at The House of Commons presented by the Human Trafficking Foundation, this challenging opera reflecting the terrible reality of Sex Trafficking in the EU has just been nominated for the UK’s most prestigious Classical Music Award.
The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Music Awards are the highest recognition for live classical music-making in the United Kingdom and were set up in 1989 to celebrate the outstanding musical achievements of British and International musicians.
Adam Gorb, Anya17’s composer and Head of Composition at the RNCM, commented: ‘This is an extremely exciting time for Anya17, with performances in both Germany and Romania scheduled for later this year. To have been informed yesterday of this award nomination, particularly an RPS award, is wonderful news and a great honour in itself.
Librettist Ben Kaye continued: ‘In terms of classical music in the UK, this is equivalent in scale to an Oscar nomination. The news is a terrific validation of the inspiration, skill, dedication and very hard work put in by everyone involved in Anya17. Whether we stand there on the podium on the day or not, this is a great opportunity to raise awareness of Human Trafficking.’
Director Caroline Clegg added: ‘I am delighted to learn of this prestigious nomination and that through the power of music we can continue to give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. The Conductor Clark Rundell, the Cast, the Ensemble 10/10 and our fantastic Volunteers should all feel very proud of what they have already achieved, and what we will continue to achieve in shining a bright light on this vile, hidden ‘trade’, which by its very nature can only flourish in the darkness.’
Anya17 was written to raise awareness of the estimated 700,000 women and young girls trafficked into the EU every year. Human Trafficking is a secretive £20,000,000,000 industry which is second only in scope to the Drugs trade. Anya17 is officially supported by eleven national and international NGOs and bodies including The United Nations.
Each RPS Award is decided by an eminent jury from the music profession and the list of winners since 1989 reads as a roll call of the finest living composers and musicians. One of the world’s oldest music societies, the RPS celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
The Society’s media partners, BBC Radio 3, carry extensive coverage of the Awards including a full length programme which focuses on the winners. The Awards will be presented on 14 May at a dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, London.
18 October 2012
