Grand Theatre of the National Opera in Warsaw: 2023 International Opera Awards
On Thursday evening, the world of opera gathered in the Grand Theatre of the National Opera in Warsaw to celebrate the presentation of the 2023 International Opera Awards statuettes to theatres, directors, opera productions and artists.
The importance of this award was demonstrated by the emotion and joy of the winners, some of whom were Polish, as they spoke from the stage.
fot. Krzysztof Bieliński
Andrzej Filończyk fot. Krzysztof Bieliński
‘Best Young Artist’ went to Andrzej Filończyk, who was delighted with both the award and the development of his worldwide career (he flew to the gala from rehearsals at a theatre in London). At the same time, Bassem Akiki had the pleasure of working on the award-winning production of Alexander Raskatov’s Animal Farm in the Best Premiere category, which had the most vigorous competition. The collaboration between the musical director and the composer during the rehearsals was successful. In interviews, Akiki said that working with living composers gives him great satisfaction and personal growth. This production was staged by the Dutch National Opera, which also won a statuette in the ‚Sustainability‘ category.
fot. Krzysztof Bieliński
In the ‘Rediscovered Work’ category, the prize went to Stanislaw Moniuszko’s Javnuta, staged at the Grand Theatre in Poznan and collaborated on by another Pole, Rafal Kloczko.
The assembled guests and audience also paid tribute to Antonio Pappano, who was honoured in the Conductor category and whom Polish audiences could admire at the National Forum of Music, in whose concert hall he conducted the London Symphony Orchestra’s 2016 concert.
fot. Krzysztof Bieliński
Other finalists:
2023 International Opera Awards – Winners
DESIGNER
Lizzie Clachan
DIRECTOR
Barrie Kosky
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & IMPACT
La Monnaie/ De Munt
FEMALE SINGER
Aigul Akhmetshina
FESTIVAL
Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
LEADERSHIP
Stéphane Lissner
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Marilyn Horne
MALE SINGER
Michael Spyres
NEW PRODUCTIONWar & Peace (Bayerische Staatsoper/Tcherniakov)
OPERA COMPANY
Bayerische Staatsoper
OPERA READERS’ AWARD
Nadine Sierra
PHILANTHROPY
The Sullivan Foundation
RECORDING (COMPLETE OPERA)
Mercadante: Il proscritto (Opera Rara)
RECORDING (SOLO RECITAL)
Lisette Oropesa, French Bel Canto Arias (Pentatone)
The gala was conducted by Petroc Trelawny (BBC), with music provided by the Orchestra of the Grand Theatre of the National Opera, conducted by Andriy Yurkevych. The chorus and invited soloists.
Singers Alejandro Del Ángel (tenor), Gabriela Legun (soprano), Łukasz Golinski (bass-baritone) and the Grand Prix winners of the 11th Moniuszko Competition, Juliana Grigoryan (soprano) and Nazar Mukulyak (baritone) appeared on stage.
The works of Stanislaw Moniuszko dominated the repertoire, but a significant revival was given to the piece ‘Ach! sì, ben dite…guerra… Tutto parea sorridere’ – Il Corsaro, Giuseppe Verdi, Rafael Alejandro del Angel Garcia finally made us feel like we were in an authentic Italian opera with the right temperament.
Iwona Karpińska
Wrocław