The 2023 International Opera Awards revealed their champions in a grand event held at Teatr Wielki, Warsaw in Poland. This marks a decade of honoring exceptional talent in opera globally, all while supporting emerging artists through the Opera Awards Foundation.
The evening paid tribute to the previous year's Opera Company winners, the houses of Lviv and Odesa in Ukraine, which couldn't host due to the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian baritone Nazar Mykulyak's rendition from Yuliy Meitus’ opera, "Stolen Happiness," marked the first performance of this music outside Ukraine.
Barrie Kosky from Australia claimed the Best Director title for his remarkable productions, notably the acclaimed Dialogues of the Carmelites at Glyndebourne and a Ring Cycle at Covent Garden.
Marilyn Horne, a prominent mezzo-soprano, was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her 26-year tenure as a leading lady at the Metropolitan Opera, spanning over 1300 performances and more than 100 recordings.
Sir Antonio Pappano clinched the Conductor Award for the second time, a remarkable feat after being the inaugural recipient in 2013. The Opera Magazine Readers’ Award went to American soprano Nadine Sierra, the sole honor of the evening chosen by public vote.
The Bayerische Staatsoper secured the Opera Company of the Year for the second time, following their win in 2018. Their staging of Prokofiev’s "War and Peace" also earned them the New Production Award.
Michael Spyres claimed the Male Singer Award, while soprano Aigul Akhmetshina was honored with the Female Singer Award. The Young Singer Award was presented to the Polish baritone Andrzej Filończyk.