Peter Hulsen Orchestral Song Award

The Peter Hulsen Orchestral Song Award was established in 2009, by Southbank Sinfonia in collaboration with the Musicians Benevolent Fund. It is a biennial award, with which an outstanding young singer is given the opportunity to perform a programme of orchestral song accompanied by Southbank Sinfonia in a leading London venue (Cadogan Hall or Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House). Not only does it recognise the generosity of its patron, Peter Hulsen, but also provides a performance opportunity for the infrequently heard orchestral song repertoire.

The award is made available to singers who have recently received a major named award from the Musicians Benevolent Fund, who are invited to submit a programme for consideration. The successful singer then receives mentoring on their chosen repertoire. Previous mentors include Sir Thomas Allen and Joan Rodgers.
The award was set up to acknowledge the generosity of Peter Hulsen, a long standing supporter of Southbank Sinfonia.

A native of Breslau, Peter came to England as a boy on the Kindertransport. His life-long love of music makes him one of the most discerning and knowledgeable of concertgoers, with a particular interest in opera, Lieder and orchestral repertoire.

Peter attended the first concert of Southbank Sinfonia in 2001, featuring soprano Sally Matthews performing Strauss’s Four Last Songs. In a subsequent conversation with Conductor Simon Over, Peter expressed an interest to be involved with such a trailblazing organisation, and has ever since been a key supporter.

The winner of the 2013 Peter Hulsen Orchestral Song Award is Gavan Ring. For details of his forthcoming performance with Southbank Sinfonia, click here

Past Winners
Gerard Collett, baritone (2009)
Susanna Hurrell, soprano (2011)