The presentation took place at Wigmore Hall on Sunday 31 May, at a concert given by internationally-acclaimed soprano Lise Davidsen and pianist James Baillieu, exactly 125 years to the day since the venue first opened its doors on 31 May 1901. It also marked a major anniversary for RPS Honorary Membership itself, first presented 200 years ago in 1826.

One of the highest accolades in music, RPS Honorary Membership is awarded to those who devote their lives to music and uplifting others with it. It was first presented to the composer Weber and subsequent recipients include Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner, Joachim, Brahms, Verdi, Dvorák, Clara Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Ravel, Stravinsky, Casals, Yehudi Menuhin, Pierre Boulez, Janet Baker and more recently Evelyn Glennie, George Benjamin, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent, Marin Alsop, Stephen Sondheim, Sarah Connolly, Jordi Savall, Humphrey Burton, Amelia Freedman, and Judith Weir.

A key event in Wigmore Hall’s 125th birthday celebrations, the concert was attended by HRH The Duke of Kent as the venue’s Patron. To the capacity audience, RPS Chief Executive James Murphy read the following citation:

‘Everyone here knows how extraordinarily dedicated John Gilhooly is to classical music. All of us have found such joy and inspiration here at Wigmore Hall time and again, thanks to him. John’s tenure since 2000 has been a truly golden chapter in the Hall’s history. It is a cherished home to the world’s finest musicians, many who come to the UK because of it. None of us will forget what a beacon it was through the lockdowns, and the light it gave us then is undiminished. The brilliant artistry we witness onstage each day is matched by its learning and digital innovations, its nurture of young artists and audiences, and its reach beyond traditional repertoire, forever presenting new treasures for us to discover. Thanks to John, this precious jewel finds itself in its absolute prime, aged 125. 

Alongside this, the time, care and tireless support John gives to others across the sector is renowned. He has done so much to champion upcoming artists and chamber music across the UK. His contribution to the RPS itself is especially stellar. Serving 17 years as a Trustee, and 14 as Chairman until 2024, he led the charity through its high-profile bicentenary celebrations and he set it on a firm 21st century footing, doing more than ever before for the benefit of music-makers and music-lovers. John, we are all dearly grateful for all you have done – and continue to do – for the good of music.’

John is the first Irish person to receive RPS Honorary Membership in its 200-year history. He commented ‘I am deeply honoured to receive Honorary Membership of the Royal Philharmonic Society, an organisation that champions music and musicians at the very highest level. It is truly humbling to be the first Irish recipient. To receive the honour on the same day Wigmore Hall turns 125, from the Hall’s esteemed patron HRH The Duke of Kent, all in the 200th year of this special award is something I will never forget.’

ABOUT JOHN GILHOOLY

John Gilhooly CBE is Artistic and Executive Director of Wigmore Hall in London. Since his appointment in 2005 he has led a period of significant artistic and organisational growth, establishing the Hall as a global leader in its field and expanding the programme to more than 500 concerts per year, the largest classical music series in the UK. It has a renewed commitment to new music, with a greatly expanded commissioning programme and with its popular £5 ticket scheme for under 35s, partnership with BBC Radio 3, award winning Learning programme, and an expanded digital presence Wigmore Hall continues to broaden its reach to audiences worldwide. 

One of the most influential figures in classical music today, John was Chair of the Royal Philharmonic Society from 2010 to 2024 and continues to work internationally as a jury chair and panel member for major competitions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, John was a prominent advocate for live performance, initiating a landmark series of concerts from an empty Wigmore Hall, streamed globally and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, which became a defining artistic response to the crisis and set a benchmark for the sector’s return to live music-making.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, John studied History and Political Science at University College Dublin, also training as a singer with the celebrated Irish soprano Veronica Dunne at the DIT Conservatoire of Music and the Leinster School of Music.

His contribution to music has been recognised through numerous international honours from Austria, Finland, Germany and Italy. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and an Honorary Member of the Royal College of Music. He was appointed OBE in 2013 and advanced to CBE in 2022 for services to music.