2008 Musical America names Anna Netrebko musician of year

Russian soprano Anna Netrebko was recognized musician of the year for 2008 by a classical music publication whose previous honorees during the past half century include Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinsky and Vladimir Horowitz.

Photo: 2008 Musical America names Anna Netrebko musician of year

Netrebko will grace the cover of the 2008 Musical America International Directory of the Performing Arts, often referred to in the business as the "bible" of the industry, with its comprehensive data bases and contact listings.

Other 2008 winners announced Tuesday by Musical America were: Kaija Saariaho of Finland for composer of the year, the Atlanta Symphony's Robert Spano for conductor of the year, 80-year-old pianist Charles Rosen for instrumentalist and Chanticleer for ensemble. All will receive their awards at a ceremony at Lincoln Center on Dec. 13.

The awards date to 1960, the first year the International Directory of the Performing Arts was published.