Each year The Musicians’ Company gives the Santley Award to a chosen singer, composer, writer or researcher into the subject of singing. Endowed in memory of the baritone, Sir Charles Santley, previous winners have included Cecilia McDowall, Brindley Sherratt and Ian Bostridge. This is not Miles’ first association with The Musicians’ Company, having won the John Christie Award at Glyndeobourne, which The Musicians’ Company support, in 1987.

Having trained at the National Opera Studio and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Alastair Miles makes regular at the Royal Opera House, most recently as Le Bailli in Massenet’s Werther. He has previously sung for the English National Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Grange Park Opera, Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera.

Alastair Miles said: ‘I’m deeply honoured and delighted to receive the Santley award. It’s very gratifying to be acknowledged by one’s peers in the music industry and by such a venerable institution’.