ROSL Awards 2026 Gold Medal to Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez in Historic Wigmore Hall Final

Last Friday evening, the future of classical music took centre stage at Wigmore Hall as the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) brought its 74th Annual Music Competition to a close. In a final that marked a significant moment in the competition’s history, flautist Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez was awarded the 2026 Gold Medal and its £15,000 prize following an evening celebrating exceptional artistry and the emergence of the next generation of musical talent.

The evening was a reminder of why supporting emerging classical artists remains central to the ethos of the Royal Over-Seas League’s music programme and its longstanding commitment to recognising the next generation of young musicians to watch.

A Historic Moment for the ROSL Gold Medal

Marking the first occasion in the competition’s history that all finalists were women, the final showcased four exceptional soloists: Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez on flute, Binny-Supin Yang as soprano, Gabrielė Sutkutė on piano and Fanny Fheodoroff on violin.

The soloists were supported by accompanists Jack Redman, Tom Scott and Dominic Degavino, who worked with Patterson-Gutiérrez, Yang and Fheodoroff respectively. Before a distinguished panel and a highly engaged audience, the finalists presented programmes reflecting not only technical excellence but also distinctive artistic personalities.

The Esteemed Gold Medal Jury

The panel of adjudicators was chaired by Tasmin Little CBE and brought together respected figures from across the worlds of performance, broadcasting and arts leadership. The jury included previous Gold Medal winners Paul Lewis and Emily Sun, alongside flautist Philippa Davies, soprano Emily Dickens, arts administrator Gavin Henderson CBE, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms Sam Jackson and Andrew Moore, Artistic Director of the Royal College of Music.

Performances Reflecting Exceptional Artistry

The evening’s programme showcased the breadth and individuality of these emerging classical artists, with each musician presenting repertoire that highlighted both technical mastery and artistic interpretation.

Patterson-Gutiérrez opened with Ferneyhough’s technically demanding Cassandra’s Dream Song before a Boulanger Nocturne that felt particularly resonant in an all-female final. Yang’s set ranged from Liszt to a show-stopping account of Delibes’ Bell Song. Sutkutė offered Rameau and a bold account of Ravel’s La valse, while Fheodoroff’s choice of Korngold’s Suite from Much Ado About Nothing, alongside the Strauss Violin Sonata, underscored her commitment to bringing neglected repertoire to the concert stage.

Chamber Ensembles Take to the Stage

The evening also reflected ROSL’s ongoing support of chamber ensembles. The Elmore Quartet, winners of the String Ensemble Award, performed Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat major, Op. 127, while the AERA Ensemble, winners of the Mixed Ensemble Award, brought contrasting colours to the evening with Schumann’s Märchenerzählungen, Op. 132, and Bartók’s exhilarating Contrasts, Sz. 111.

Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez Named 2026 Gold Medal Winner

Following the evening’s performances, Tasmin Little CBE announced Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez as the winner of the 2026 ROSL Gold Medal.

Chair of the Panel of adjudicators, Tasmin Little CBE said:

“It was a huge pleasure to be Chair of the Judges for the 2026 Royal Overseas Gold Medal Competition at Wigmore Hall in May. It was the perfect venue to enjoy the brilliant artistry of all four competitors and enable the jury to carry out the task of choosing one overall winner. The competition organisers selected highly professional judges with a wide range of experience, the whole event was well organised and presented, and the audience were hugely supportive of all the performers who gave us an evening of top-quality music-making.”

Supporting the Next Generation of Classical Talent

Grace Meadows, Head of Music at ROSL, reflected on the wider significance of the competition and the remarkable standard demonstrated throughout the evening.

“The standard at this year’s final was outstanding and a powerful demonstration of the extraordinary young talent coming through classical music right now. This was a historic Gold Medal final; remarkable both for the exceptional standard of musicians and for the fact that, for the first time in the competition’s 74-year history, it was an all-female final. The Gold Medal matters because those pivotal early years of a career can be so precarious, and the right support at the right time, the platform, the recognition, the financial support, can make all the difference. This is exactly why this competition exists.”

A Defining Moment for a Rising Classical Star

Reflecting on her win, Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez said:

“It was a thrilling feeling to win the ROSL Gold Medal and an honour to share the stage with such wonderful musicians and perform before such a distinguished panel. Playing music that I love at the Wigmore Hall was a truly special moment and I’ll cherish the memories of the entire competition – it’s been an exciting journey. I’m happy that I was able to share my joy of performing alongside the incredible Jack Redman in such a beautiful hall and having such a fantastic audience certainly helped!”

For more than seven decades, the ROSL Annual Music Competition has identified artists at defining moments in their careers. This year’s Gold Medal final demonstrated not only exceptional artistry but also the vitality and future of classical music itself.

As audiences continue seeking out rising classical stars, competitions such as ROSL’s continue to play an essential role by providing visibility, recognition and support that can shape the future of artistic careers.

To follow the journeys of exceptional young artists and stay informed about our next competition, future concerts and cultural programming, visit the ROSL Music page.

FAQ

What is the ROSL Annual Music Competition?

The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) Annual Music Competition is an internationally renowned classical music contest and career springboard for young emerging artists. Established in 1952, it is the flagship event of the ROSL Arts programme.

Who won the 2026 ROSL Gold Medal?

Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez won the 2026 Gold Medal and received the competition’s top prize of £15,000.

Why was the 2026 final significant?

The 2026 Gold Medal final marked the first all-female final in the competition’s 74-year history.

Where was the Gold Medal final held?

The final took place at Wigmore Hall, one of London’s most celebrated venues for classical performances.

Watch the full Gold Medal Final 2026 on our YouTube channel: