As we turn the page into March 2026, this edition of Limelight is, at heart, a celebration of impact – of the artists, ideas and performances that stayed with us long after the final note faded.

As 2025 drew to a close, we invited our critics and our readers to reflect on the year just past and vote for the artists they felt had made the most indelible impression on classical music and opera. From that process emerged two shortlists – 20 Australian artists and 20 international – distilled from nominations across our nationwide team of reviewers and our engaged, passionate readership. Then we threw the doors open and let the voting begin for Limelight’s 2025 Artists of the Year.

It’s always fascinating to see how those two perspectives align – or don’t. Sometimes critics and readers find themselves in lockstep; sometimes their choices diverge wildly, revealing different ways of listening, watching and valuing what happens on our stages.

Last year, the stars aligned when the pianist Jayson Gillham topped both polls, taking out Critics’ Choice and People’s Choice for Australian Artist of the Year. This year, history repeats – with another Australian artist...