Violinist Tasmin Little, who retired from public performance in 2020, has been named CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List, in recognition of her contribution to classical music life. The conductor Ivor Bolton was also named CBE.

OBE’s were awarded to both tenor Nicky Spence and soprano Lucy Crowe.

Commenting on the honour, Spence said: ‘To be recognised in this way for doing a job I adore is the cherry on an already pretty juicy cake. Opera is such a team sport and while I'm lucky to collaborate with remarkable artists everyday, I'd love to dedicate this to the village of people who have stewarded my adventure to the opera stage. I’m encouraged to use this honour to further improve routes into the profession for singers from every background and hopefully inspire the next generation of undiscovered voices.’

Kathryn McDowell, the managing director of the London Symphony Orchestra since 2005, was appointed Dame, while Richard Mantle, Director of Opera North for almost three decades, was Knighted.