Elisabeth Hetherington has been honored with the Nederlandse Muziekprijs, a prestigious award in classical music. Presented by the Performing Arts Fund NL on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, this accolade is one of the highest recognitions a classical musician can receive. Hetherington will be presented with the award on October 4, 2024, at the De Doelen concert hall in Rotterdam by Minister Eppo Bruins.
The committee praised Hetherington's exceptional ability to navigate a diverse range of music, from Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary compositions, with remarkable ease and clarity. Her performances are noted for their seamless transitions between intimate and dramatic, serene and dynamic, displaying a natural musicality that engages and surprises listeners.
Hetherington, a soprano, completed her Voice Performance studies at the University of Toronto and earned a Master’s degree in Early Music Singing from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Her performance credits include collaborations with The Cherry Orchard, De Vliegende Hollander, and Divorce of Figaro.
The Nederlandse Muziekprijs is awarded to musicians who have completed a study program focusing on personal musical growth and have worked with both Dutch and international artists. Past recipients of this award include mezzo-soprano Jard van Nes, violinist Janine Jansen, cellist Pieter Wispelwey, recorder player Lucie Horsch, pianist Hans Minnaar, and the most recent laureate, organist Laurens de Man.