The OPER! AWARDS

Award
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20 awards for the best of the best in the international opera scene – presented by a jury of nine independent opera journalists.

01

Best Opera House

Honouring the opera house that has made the most significant contribution through its programme, productions, and overall artistic and civic achievement.

02

Best Female Singer

For an outstanding female vocal performance. Recognizing vocal excellence, musical expressiveness, dramatic intensity, and artistic individuality.

03

Best Male Singer

For an outstanding male vocal performance. Recognizing vocal excellence, musical expressiveness, dramatic intensity, and artistic individuality.

04

Best Conductor

Award for outstanding musical direction. Recognizing artistic mastery, interpretive depth, individuality, and an exceptional musical personality.

05

Best Director

Award for a staging of outstanding creative power and artistic rigor that newly unlocks a work with an unmistakable signature style, turning it into an outstanding event of musical theatre.

06

Best Orchestra

For an orchestra that decisively shapes the musical profile of a production with the utmost precision, immense expressive power, and an unmistakable tonal character.

07

Best Choir

Award for an outstanding choral performance. Recognizing vocal precision, musical nuance, tonal intensity, and exceptional ensemble quality.

08

Best World Premiere

Award for an outstanding new operatic work impressing with its artistic quality, originality, and both musical and dramatic power.

09

Best Performance

Award for an opera performance in which musical and theatrical design, vocal and dramatic execution, as well as artistic direction come together to create an extraordinary overall experience.

10

Best Stage Designer

Award for a stage designer whose work captivates through an unmistakable visual language, spatial and theatrical impact, and a compelling synthesis of form and content.

11

Best Costume Designer

Award for outstanding costume design that impresses with conceptual originality and striking visual impact, that can make tangible internal as well as intellectual spaces, and helps shape the core themes of a production.

12

Best Solo Album

Award for an outstanding solo recording that captivates with its vocal quality, interpretive depth, and individual artistic expressiveness.

13

Best Complete Edition

For a definitive full-length recording that impresses with exceptional musical quality, interpretive cohesion, and artistic significance.

14

Best Newcomer

Award for an up-and-coming vocal talent standing out with exceptional potential, strong individuality, and a commanding artistic presence.

15

Best Rediscovery

Award for the impressive revival of a little-known work and the compelling exploration of its unique artistic qualities.

16

Best Future Project

For a project that advances opera through an innovative artistic approach, opening up new ways of engaging with the art form and connecting with the audience.

17

Best Festival

For an opera festival that has become an unmistakable event in the international opera scene through its programming, artistic quality, and unique atmosphere.

18

Honorary Lifetime Achievement

For an outstanding figure in opera whose unique body of work over many years has set standards, inspired new generations, and has left a lasting mark on and enriched the history of opera.

19

Best Entrepreneur

Award for outstanding commitment, entrepreneurial vision, and sustained support that unlock new perspectives for opera, drive forward developments, and help shape the future of the art form.

20

Biggest Nuisance

For a person, institution, or development that has significantly harmed or hindered opera, or has given cause for considerable outrage and frustration.

Eligibility & Process

Productions and performances are eligible if they premiered or were substantially performed between 1 September and 31 August of the award year, at any internationally recognized opera house. The jury may consider any production in any territory. There is no submission process — the jury operates independently.

About the Vote

All nine jury members vote independently. Nominations are deliberated in closed session in January; final winners are voted by secret ballot in February and announced at the gala ceremony. No jury member may vote in a category in which they have a direct professional involvement.