The Royal Academy of Music celebrated its 200th anniversary July 12 by honoring a few Broadway names, including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cynthia Erivo. The ceremony took place at London’s Freemasons’ Hall, hosted by author and journalist John Suchet.
Recipients included three-time Tony winner Miranda, best known for creating the musicals Hamilton, In the Heights, and Bring it On, and writing the story and music for Encanto; Color Purple Tony winner Erivo; Tony and Olivier winner Patricia Routledge; and The Great British Bake Off host Matt Lucas, who recently portrayed Thénardier in the West End's Les Miserables.
Honorees from the world of classic music were Czech Philharmonic's Semyon Bychkov and pianist Tom Poster. Fellowships were awarded to musical director, pianist, and composer Allyson Devenish; violinist Susan Collier; singer Helena Dix; and orchestrator and conductor Cliff Masterson. Lecturer and author Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason and the Royal Academy’s deputy principal Kirsty MacDonald were made honorary fellows.