The Glenn Gould Foundation is proud to announce that The Glenn Gould Prize Gala honouring the 15th Glenn Gould Prize Laureate, Elton John, will take place on May 9, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at The Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto.
Often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of the Arts,” The Glenn Gould Prize is among the world’s most prestigious international cultural honours, recognizing a living individual of any nationality or creative field for a lifetime of artistic achievement that has enriched humanity. Awarded biennially, it honours those whose work embodies the innovative spirit of the legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould and has made a profound contribution to enriching the human condition through the arts. Established in 1987, the Prize includes a CDN $100,000 award for the Laureate, who also personally selects a young artist to receive the CDN $25,000 Glenn Gould Protégé Prize, celebrating the vital role of mentorship.
With Elton in attendance, the gala celebration will honour his extraordinary artistic and humanitarian legacy and will feature live performances of his music by Elton’s hand-selected Canadian artists including Diana Krall, 2025 Juno Award-winning Group of the Year The Beaches, multiple Juno Award winning singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, Juno and Polaris Prize winning tenor Jeremy Dutcher, pop/neo-soul artist LOONY, Juno Award and Leonard Bernstein Award-winning mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo and BBC’s 2024 Young Musician of the Year, classical pianist Ryan Wang.
The evening will also feature the presentation of The Glenn Gould Protégé Prize, with the winner to be announced later this month.
Rocket Club members will enjoy special pre-sale access beginning Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. ET.