December’s playlist is entirely constructed from 2021 releases. It’s been a great chance to look through what’s been happening through an intense and stressful year – and the amazing work our composers and performers have done.

In this month's Opera Column, Greg Eldridge deplores the slashing of arts funding by governments and universities around the world, and asks how will the next generation access the same opportunites that he had.

The Hungarian conductor talks about Limelight’s 2021 Opera Recording of the Year.

The great German baritone talks about Limelight’s 2021 Vocal Recording of the Year.

The Icelandic pianist talks about Limelight’s 2021 Instrumental Recording of the Year.

The two British pianists talk about Limelight’s 2021 Chamber Recording of the Year.

The votes are in, the judges have spoken . . . and here are the winners.

Our December Recording of the Month is an album of songs by Respighi, a composer not especially known for his vocal writing. Ian Bostridge and Saskia Giorgini talk to Clive Paget

The Russian-born German pianist is an artist who paints on a broad canvas; one whose place in the world informs his art; and one who is unafraid to speak his mind, whether on music or on politics.

In 2021, not only did William Barton receive the Australia Council's Don Banks Music Award, but also saw the premiere of several works that feel as if they point towards an important new direction for his creative practice.

In response to the pandemic, VOCES8 reinvented themselves as stage managers, camera technicians and, crucially, impresarios, they produced a highly successful series of online events watched by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall proved a lifesaver during the pandemic, raising money for artists and keeping audiences connected with the music they loved. It shows how deep the connections they established that they have been voted the Peoples' Choice in the 2021 Limelight Artist of the Year awards.