Baritone Stéphane Degout has been named the Best Lyrical Artist of 2019 by Les Victoires de la Musique Classique, which took place on Feb. 13, 2019.

Degout is coming off a tremendous 2018 that saw him star in the Opéra de Lyon’s production of “Don Carlo” in March. He then headed to the Royal Opera for “Lessons in Love and Violence” before reprising that same role in June at De Nationale Opera in Amsterdam. In September he took on “Faust” at the Teatro Real de Madrid before appearing as Golaud in “Pelléas et Mélisande” at the Opéra Comique de Paris. He finished off 2018 in the title role of “Hamlet,” also at the Opéra Comique.

His 2019 got off to a quick start with “Les Troyens” at the Opéra de Paris and he is slated to return to the Royal Opera House for “Faust” and Opéra de Lyon for “Lessons in Love and Violence.”

This is the second time that Degout wins the prize; he previously claimed it in 2012.

Speaking of “Les Troyens,” the recording by Erato conducted by John Nelson was given the award for Best Recording of 2019. This version includes Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, and Degout.