Artists of the Year
In partnership with
Celebrate the artists who have defined another remarkable year in music, arts and culture. Limelight subscribers are invited to help shape our 2026 annual awards by nominating the artists whose work has inspired you most.
Join us and have your say.
Nominations now open for Limelight's 2026 Artists of the Year Awards:
Subscriber nominations: 1 October – 2 November
Public vote: 17 November – 6 January, 2027
2026 winners announced in March 2027 issue: 22 February
Limelight's readers and critics voted for the Australian and international artists who raised their heart rates in 2025.
Their votes were tallied, and we are thrilled to announce the winners.
People's Choice
Australian Artist of the Year
Simone Young
A major milestone for one of the most respected figures in classical music. Sydney Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor Simone Young has been ranked as one of the Top 10 busiest conductors worldwide.
Runners-Up
William Barton
One of Australia’s most distinctive musical voices, composer, didgeridoo virtuoso and proud Kalkadunga man, William Barton consistently reshapes the parameters of Australian classical music.
Sally Walker
A powerful advocate of Australian music, the esteemed flautist delivered the world premieres of a number of works in 2025, thrilling audiences on stage and on disc.
International Artist of the Year
The Tallis Scholars
The Tallis Scholars, Britain’s revered early music vocal ensemble is renowned for its unified sound and perfectly balanced harmonies, receiving a five-star review for its Sydney concert.
Runners-Up
Joyce DiDonato
Known for her transformative musical versatility and advocacy, the acclaimed American mezzo-soprano delighted audiences in Hobart and Melbourne with her elegant vocal artistry.
Abel Selaocoe
A highly inventive and charismatic performer, the South African composer, singer and cellist delivered a fiery performance with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, winning this year’s Giving Culture Award.
Stephen Hough
One of the world’s leading classical luminaries, the British-born pianist electrified audiences with five different piano concertos, including one of his own, taking home this year’s Critics’ Choice.
Critics' Choice
Australian Artist of the Year
Simone Young
Runners-Up
Alexander Gavrylyuk
With six five-star reviews under his belt for his performances in recital and as an orchestral soloist in Australia in 2025, the Ukrainian-born Australian pianist is every bit the great virtuoso.
Erin Helyard
One of Australia’s most versatile keyboard soloists and music directors, the 2023 Limelight Artist of the Year continues to inspire as Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera and the Orchestra of the Antipodes.
Umberto Clerici
Forging an impressive career as a cellist and then conductor, the Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra is as dynamic on the podium as he is as a soloist.
International Artist of the Year
Stephen Hough
Stephen Hough on piano arrangements, nostalgia – and the joys of Mary Poppins. Hough’s Piano Postcards is the latest release from the musically omnivorous British virtuoso.
Runners-Up
Takács Quartet
Formed in Budapest in 1975, the renowned quartet toured for Musica Viva Australia in its 50th year, earning a five-star review in Canberra. It also took home Limelight’s 2025 Chamber Recording of the Year Award.
Daniil Trifonov
Dubbed a “genius pianist” by his collaborator, baritone Matthias Goerne, the Russian superstar thrilled audiences with a formidable Sydney Symphony Orchestra program and recitals around the country.
Giving Culture Award
Our readers' favourite performance of 2025
Abel Selaocoe & Australian Chamber Orchestra
Australian Chamber Orchestra
★★★★★
All thoughts of convention and gravitas are dispelled by this visceral audience reaction to the fiery performance of charismatic South African composer, singer and cellist Abel Selaocoe with percussionist and colleague Sidiki Dembélé. Helena Rathbone leads the Australian Chamber Orchestra in this concert, which is part of its 50th-anniversary season.
2025 Nominees
2024
Jayson Gillham
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Andreas Scholl
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Giving Culture Award People’s Favourite Performance
Jason Gillham
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Allan Clayton
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2023
Jessica Pratt
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Sir Simon Rattle
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Erin Helyard
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Sir Simon Rattle
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2022
Australian World Orchestra
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Hilary Hahn
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Simone Young
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Allan Clayton
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2021
Melbourne Digital Concert Hall
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
VOCES8
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
William Barton
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Igor Levit
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2019
Alondra de la Parra
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Jessye Norman
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Deborah Cheetham
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Víkingur Ólafsson
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2018
Benjamin Northey
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Anne-Sophie Mutter
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Simone Young
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Jordi Savall
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2017
Brett Dean
Australian Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
Jonas Kaufmann
International Artist of the Year
Selected by critics and readers
2016
Emma Matthews
Australian Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
Stephen Hough
International Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
2015
Greta Bradman
Australian Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
Sir Simon Rattle
International Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
2023
Jessica Pratt
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Sir Simon Rattle
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Erin Helyard
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Sir Simon Rattle
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2022
Australian World Orchestra
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Hilary Hahn
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Simone Young
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Allan Clayton
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2021
Melbourne Digital Concert Hall
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
VOCES8
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
William Barton
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Igor Levit
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2019
Alondra de la Parra
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Jessye Norman
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Deborah Cheetham
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Víkingur Ólafsson
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2018
Benjamin Northey
Australian Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Anne-Sophie Mutter
International Artist of the Year
People’s Choice
Simone Young
Australian Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
Jordi Savall
International Artist of the Year
Critics’ Choice
2017
Brett Dean
Australian Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
Jonas Kaufmann
International Artist of the Year
Selected by critics and readers
2016
Emma Matthews
Australian Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
Stephen Hough
International Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
2015
Greta Bradman
Australian Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
Sir Simon Rattle
International Artist of the Year
Selected by readers and critics
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