Saturday, December 26, 2015

The Inaugural 2015 OperaChaser Awards and Commendations



The Inaugural 2015 OperaChaser Awards and Commendations


Award for Outstanding Production, The Rabbits, Opera Australia,
Barking Gecko and Melbourne Festival
photo credit: Jon Green


As 2015 draws to a close, it's time to extend my thanks to all involved in creating the ephemeral beauty of opera in performance and give mention to those who have contributed in sharing their artistic pursuits by nourishing their audiences with immeasurable and lasting enjoyment.

In compiling the inaugural OperaChaser Awards and Commendations, the joy of reminiscing on a year loaded with more than 70 fully staged productions at home in Melbourne and around the world is a privilege I don't take for granted. There is no ceremony, no trophy and no prize, but I sincerely hope that these awards bring a little pleasure to the deserved artists who brought excellence to the art of opera and all who continue to dig deep into their artistic, dramatic and creative energies.


2015 OperaChaser Melbourne Awards
From 18 productions and 5 concert performances*


Production
The Rabbits: Opera Australia, Barking Gecko Theatre Company and Melbourne Festival
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/opera-review-the-rabbits-melbourne-festival/news-story/313a4454c392a97045e0884e2358f8b3

Concert Performance
I Puritani: Victorian Opera
featuring Jessica Pratt, Celso Albelo and conductor Richard Mills
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/blessed-in-bel-canto-heaven-at.html

 Innovative Opera Company
Victorian Opera
http://www.victorianopera.com.au/


Luke Leonard
The Difficulty of Crossing a Field, Gertrude Opera (Nagambie Lakes Opera Festival)

Male in a Supporting Role
Shane Lowrencev
as Leporello, Don Giovanni, Opera Australia
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/opera-review-don-giovanni-opera-australia-arts-centre-melbourne/news-story/3fd4d8cd03b3bc351639f54d5fa912e1

Steven Gallop
as Caspar, Der Freischütz, Melbourne Opera
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/opera-review-der-freischutz/news-story/0a48c00a731f7a4cb69944f0521279eb

Female in a Supporting Role
Jane Ede
as Countess Almaviva, The Marriage of Figaro, Opera Australia
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/opera-review-the-marriage-of-figaro-opera-australia-arts-centre-melbourne/news-story/230360424873014a155844aafea9371c

Milijana Nikolic
as Princess Eboli, Don Carlos, Opera Australia
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/opera-review-don-carlos-opera-australia-arts-centre-melbourne/news-story/ac1740433a4f1bbdc1f9740bdd604a3d

 Conductor 

Ensemble
Set Design
Robert Jones
Costume Design
Gabriela Tylesova
The Rabbits, Opera Australia, Barking Gecko Theatre Company and Melbourne Festival
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/opera-review-the-rabbits-melbourne-festival/news-story/313a4454c392a97045e0884e2358f8b3

Lighting Design

* I was not in attendance at Victorian Opera's new production of The Flying Dutchman. 



2015 OperaChaser Australian Commendations
From 9 productions seen in Brisbane and Sydney.


Production
Bajazet, Pinchgut Opera, Sydney
Male in a Lead Role
Christopher Lowrey
as Gernando, Faramondo Göttingen International Handel Festival production, Brisbane Baroque
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/handels-faramondo-pulsated-at-brisbane.html?m=1

Female in a Lead Role
Latonia Moore
as Aida, Aida, Handa and Opera Australia 
Conductor
Erin Helyard



2015 OperaChaser International Commendations
From 45 productions seen in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Madrid, Munich, New York, San Francisco, St Louis, Stuttgart, Vienna and Washington.


Production

Innovative Opera Company
The Dallas Opera
http://dallasopera.org/

Director
Calixto Bieto
Jenůfa, Stuttgart Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/bietos-industrially-fluorescent-jenufa.html?showComment=1428839684791

Male in a Lead Role
Pavol Breslik
as Nemorino, L'elisir d'amore, Zurich Opera

 Female in a Lead Role 
Olga Kulchynska
as Giulietta, I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Zurich Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/an-immersive-real-time-i-capuleti-e-i.html

 Conductor
Evelino Pidò
Rigoletto, Vienna State Opera
https://bachtrack.com/review-rigoletto-audi-meoni-siurina-vienna-june-2015

I'd also like to thank everyone who makes the front of house experience memorable so there's one more commendation I'd like to share.

Outstanding Usher
Hector at the Metropolitan Opera, New York.


Once again, thank you to all!
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