The 3rd Annual OperaChaser Awards and Commendations

- 2017 -

Revealed via Twitter @OperaChaser on 27th December 2017 commencing at 5pm

Dromana, Victoria.

Award for Outstanding Production, Melbourne (Independent): Lohengrin, Melbourne Opera

Photo: Robin Halls

Every night of the year, opera takes to the stage and impresses its musical, vocal and emotive force on audiences anywhere from Adelaide to Zurich and Reykjavik to Cape Town, from mega-cities to rural outposts, stages big and small. Annual global audience number the tens of millions and people continue to be drawn to its artistic mystique on both sides of the curtain.

This year I was drawn to 70 diverse opera productions in 14 cities across 4 continents and I'm proud of the exceptional work and standards I see from companies large and small, together with the innovative ways I see from those that strive to connect with a wider audience. Opera is alive and will forever remain so.

The 3rd Annual OperaChaser Awards and Commendations are an opportunity to reflect on the year and are dedicated to all who have contributed in sharing their artistic and creative pursuits by nourishing their audiences with immeasurable and lasting enjoyment.

Thank you to all involved in creating the ephemeral beauty of opera in performance. Again, there is no little ceremony, no trophy and no prize, but I sincerely hope that these awards bring a little pleasure to the deserved artists who bring excellence to the art of opera and all who continue to dig deep into their artistic, dramatic and creative energies.

2017 OperaChaser Awards, Melbourne 

From 30 productions

Outstanding Production
Cavalleria Rusitcana and Pagliacci, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/two-cleverly-threaded-and-ardently-sung.html

Outstanding Production - Independent
Lohengrin, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/08/melbourne-operas-lohengrin-radiates.html

Outstanding Opera in Concert
La Sonnambula, Victorian Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/an-evening-of-superlative-bel-canto.html

Innovative Opera Company
BK Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/a-voyeuristic-edge-frames-bk-operas.html

Outstanding Director
Matthew Lutton
Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets, Victorian Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/09/thoughtfully-realised-and-eerily.html

Outstanding Director - Independent
Tyran Parke
The Coronation of Poppea, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/07/an-edgy-intelligent-and-dramatically.html

Outstanding Conductor 
Phoebe Briggs
The Sleeping Beauty, Victorian Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/03/victorian-opera-gives-respighis.html

Outstanding Conductor - Independent
David Kram
Lohengrin, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/08/melbourne-operas-lohengrin-radiates.html

Outstanding Male in a Lead Role
Diego Torre
Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana and Canio in Pagliacci, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/two-cleverly-threaded-and-ardently-sung.html

Outstanding Male in a Lead Role - Independent
Marius Vlad
Title role, Lohengrin, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/08/melbourne-operas-lohengrin-radiates.html

Outstanding Female in a Lead Role
Rinat Shaham
Title role, Carmen, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/opera-australias-dazzling-and-dramatic.html

Outstanding Female in a Lead Role - Independent
Helena Dix
Elizabeth I, Roberto Devereux, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/11/from-melbourne-opera-intellectual-and.html

Outstanding Male in a Supporting Role
Samuel Dundas
Silvio, Pagliacci, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/two-cleverly-threaded-and-ardently-sung.html

Outstanding Male in a Supporting Role - Independent
Phillip Calcagno
Earl, Roberto Devereux, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/11/from-melbourne-opera-intellectual-and.html

Outstanding Female in a Supporting Role
Stacey Alleaume
Micaëla, Carmen, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/opera-australias-dazzling-and-dramatic.html

Outstanding Female in a Supporting Role - Independent
Caroline Vercoe
Ottavia, The Coronation of Poppea, Lyric Opera of Melbourne
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/07/an-edgy-intelligent-and-dramatically.html

Outstanding Ensemble
The Sleeping Beauty, Victorian Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/03/victorian-opera-gives-respighis.html

Outstanding Ensemble - Independent
HMS Pinafore, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/03/a-handsome-spit-and-polished-hms.html

Outstanding Set Design
Steffen Arfing
King Roger, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/opera-australias-psychologically.html

Outstanding Set Design - Independent
Dann Barber
The Coronation of Poppea, Lyric Opera of Melbourne
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/07/an-edgy-intelligent-and-dramatically.html

Outstanding Costume Design
Carla Teti
Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/two-cleverly-threaded-and-ardently-sung.html

Outstanding Costume Design - Independent
Lucy Wilkins
Lohengrin, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/08/melbourne-operas-lohengrin-radiates.html

Outstanding Lighting Design
Jon Clark
King Roger, Opera Australia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/05/opera-australias-psychologically.html

Outstanding Lighting Design - Independent
Lucy Birkinshaw
Roberto Devereux, Melbourne Opera
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/11/from-melbourne-opera-intellectual-and.html

Commendation for Outstanding Production, Australia: Cavalleria Rusitcana and Pagliacci, Opera Australia

Photo: Keith Saunders

2017 OperaChaser Commendations, Australia

From 10 productions seen in Sydney and Coolangatta.

Outstanding Production
Cavalleria Rusticana and Paglacci, Opera Australia, Sydney
^ https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/review-cavalleria-rusticana-pagliacci-opera-australia/

Outstanding Opera in Concert
Parsifal, Opera Australia, Sydney
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/08/when-world-class-is-ordained_11.html

Outstanding Director
Damiano Michieletto
Cavalleria Rusticana and Paglacci, Opera Australia, Sydney
^ https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/review-cavalleria-rusticana-pagliacci-opera-australia/

Outstanding Conductor
Erin Helyard
Anacréon and Pigmalion, Pinchgut Opera, Sydney
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/the-quandary-in-pinchgut-operas.html

Outstanding Male in a Lead Role
Michael Honeyman
Title role, King Roger, Opera Australia, Sydney
^ https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/review-king-roger-opera-australia-sydney-festival/

Outstanding Female in a Lead Role
Ermonela Jaho
Violetta, La Traviata, Opera Australia, Sydney
^ http://35.201.18.166/reviews/review-la-traviata-opera-australia-3/

Outstanding Male in a Supporting Role
Kanen Breen
Arnalta, The Coronation of Poppea, Pinchgut Opera, Sydney
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/a-strong-and-committed-cast-but.html

Outstanding Female in a Supporting Role
Lauren Zolezzi
Cupid, Anacrèon and Pigmalion, Pinchgut Opera, Sydney
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/the-quandary-in-pinchgut-operas.html

Outstanding Set Design
Paolo Fantin
Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, Opera Australia, Sydney
^ https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/review-cavalleria-rusticana-pagliacci-opera-australia/

Outstanding Costume design
Tim Chappel
Two Weddings, One Bride, Opera Australia, Sydney
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/a-yesteryear-romp-in-operetta-where.html

Outstanding Lighting Design
David Walter
Aida, Opera Australia, Coolangatta Beach
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/on-coolangatta-sands-verdis-aida-is.html

Special Award for New Australian Work
Melba, Hayes Theatre, Sydney
^ https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/review-melba-hayes-theatre-co/

Commendation for Outstanding Production, International: Die Frau ohne Schatten, Staatsoper, Berlin

Photo: Hans Jörg Michel

2017 OperaChaser Commendations, International

From 30 productions seen in 14 cities: Beijing, Singapore, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Amsterdam, Cardiff, Berlin, Munich, Paris, Bologna, Rome, Turin and Dubai.

Outstanding Production
Die Frau ohne Schatten
Staatsoper, Berlin
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/staatsoper-berlins-vocally-exquisite.html
Outstanding Director
Penny Woolcock
The Pearl Fishers, LA Opera, Los Angeles
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/10/director-penny-woolcocks-brilliantly.html

Outstanding Conductor
Zubin Mehta
Die Frau ohne Schatten, Staatsoper, Berlin
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/staatsoper-berlins-vocally-exquisite.html

Outstanding Male in a Lead Role
Ildar Abdrazakov
Title role, Prins Igor, Ductch National Opera, Amsterdam
^ https://bachtrack.com/review-prince-igor-tcherniakov-kochanovsky-abdrazakov-dyka-dutch-national-opera-february-2017

Outstanding Female in a Lead Role
Stephanie Blythe
Title role, Tancredi, Opera Philadelphia, Philadelphia
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/radiant-bel-canto-display-revives-rarer_17.html

Outstanding Male in a Supporting Role
Maurizio Muraro
Dr Bartolo, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Metropolitan Opera, New York
^ https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/10/arts/music/il-barbiere-di-siviglia-metropolitan-opera.html

Outstanding Female in a Supporting Role
Agneta Eichenholz
Isabella of France, Edward II, Deutche Oper, Berlin
http://operachaser.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/a-haunting-edgy-and-strongly-sung.html

Outstanding Set Design
Christian Schmidt
Rigoletto, Opéra National de Paris, Paris
^ https://www.operawarhorses.com/2016/05/07/review-a-rigoletto-surprise-in-paris-ludovic-tezier-subs-in-title-role-in-claus-guths-production-with-fabiano-peretyatko-luisotti-may-5-2016/

Outstanding Costume Design
Elena Zaitseva
Prins Igor, Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam
^ https://bachtrack.com/review-prince-igor-tcherniakov-kochanovsky-abdrazakov-dyka-dutch-national-opera-february-2017

Outstanding Lighting Design
Ulrich Niepel
Götterdämmerung, Deutche Oper, Berlin
http://operachaser.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-fantastic-dark-world-expires-with.html


Once again, thank you to all!


^ links to reviews not penned by myself