During the 2026 New Year’s Honours, several classical musicians were made Commanders of the Order of the British Empire.

The highest honor of Commander was given to conductor Richard Haworth Farnes, who was the Music Director of Opera North from 2004 to 2016, and has led productions at the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, and Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

Meanwhile, Mezzo-soprano Alice Coote received a CBE for services to the arts. This distinction comes after the mezzo received the OBE in 2018. Coote has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Bayerische Staatsoper, Opéra de Paris, Wiener Staatsoper, and LA Opera, among others.

Music Critic Richard Morrison received the MBE, while composer Max Richter received a high honor as well.

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