After a wildly successful season that included a critically acclaimed company debut with the Los Angeles Opera in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, of which the Los Angeles Times exclaimed, “[DiDonato] stole a show that was hard to steal” and a role debut as Elena in La Donna del Lago with the Paris Opera, which the Financial Times hailed as “simply the best singing…heard in years,” mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato caps off the 2009-10 season with a 2010 Gramophone “Artist of the Year” nomination, as well in the highly competitive category of “Recital of the Year” for her Rossini album, “Colbran: Rossini’s Muse” Fellow nominees include Anne Sofie von Otter and Jonas Kauffman.

This year’s ten Gramophone “Artist of the Year” nominees are a wide-ranging and colorful group of personalities, united by a zealous commitment to their artistry and to connecting with audiences. Radio listeners were invited alongside Gramophone’s readers to vote for the artist they feel has made the most significant impact on the classical music scene in the past 12 months.

The winner of the “Artist of the Year” category – along with those of the “Record of the Year” and 13 other highly coveted Gramophone Awards – will be announced at the annual Gramophone Awards ceremony in London, which will take place on Friday, October 1.