Meet the winners of the 2025 International Opera Awards
On Thursday, November 13, the eyes of the opera world were firmly fixed on Athens, where the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center hosted the glittering gala of the 2025 International Opera Awards. The evening celebrated the finest talents, productions and leaders in opera, drawing industry icons and enthusiasts from around the globe.
Now in its thirteenth year, the International Opera Awards, founded by philanthropist Harry Hyman and often called the “Opera Oscars,” represent the pinnacle of recognition on the international opera stage. Beyond celebrating the finest talents worldwide, the Awards also support young artists through scholarships administered by the Opera Awards Foundation. Since 2012, more than £500,000 has been raised, enabling over 125 scholarships.
The evening celebrated numerous distinguished figures from the world of opera. One of the most memorable moments came with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the legendary Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa, an honor that drew a standing ovation from the audience. Female Singer award went to Asmik Grigorian, while the Male Singer award was presented to Nicholas Brownlee. Alain Altinoglu was recognized as Conductor of the year, and Claus Guth received the best Director award.
2025 International Opera Awards: All Winners
Conductor
Alain Altinoglu
Designer
Paolo Fantin
Director
Claus Guth
Equal Opportunities & Impact
The Dallas Opera – Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors
Female Singer
Asmik Grigorian
Festival
Janáček Brno Festival
Leadership
Anthony Freud
Lifetime Achievement Award
Agnes Baltsa
Male Singer
Nicholas Brownlee
New Production
“The Excursions of Mr Brouček” (National Theatre Brno & Staatsoper Berlin/Teatro Real/Robert Carsen)
Opera Company
MusikTheater an der Wien
Readers’ Award (Sponsored by Opera with Opera News)
Marina Rebeka
Philanthropy
C. Graham Berwind III
Recording – Complete Opera
Lully “Atys” (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
Recording – Solo Recital
Ann Hallenberg & The Mozartists: Gluck Arias (Signum)
Rediscovered Work
Baldassare Galuppi “L’uomo femmina” (Opéra de Dijon)
Sustainability
Teatro Real, Madrid
World Premiere
Turnage/Hall “Festen” (The Royal Opera)
Rising Stars
Adèle Charvet (mezzo-soprano)
Hugh Cutting (countertenor)
The sole Polish highlight of the gala was the nomination of countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński in the Readers’ Award, a category determined by public vote. The prestigious shortlist also included baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat (Mongolia), mezzo-sopranos Elīna Garanča and Wallis Giunta (Canada), tenor Freddie De Tommaso (UK/Italy), soprano Nadine Sierra (USA), as wekk as tenor Bogdan Volkov (Ukraine). The award was ultimately claimed by Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka.
The awards gala can be watched live on OperaVision.