‘Opera Star’ International Opera Awards Opens with Bocelli and Purtseladze
On March 31st, the proclamation of the International Opera Awards took place at the Katara Amphitheater in Doha. Six months later, on October 1st the Award Winning Stars of the Opera realm received their accolades in a prestigious Italian venue.
Photo ©Michele Crosera
During the mesmerizing Venetian autumn, the Malibran Theater became a magnificent setting for this enchanting evening show, that entranced audiences through the performances of the winning artists and thanks to the special guests who participated to the event.
This marked the 7th edition of the International Opera Awards, hosted by Chiara Giallonardo (from RAI Television), with the extraordinary participation of the journalist and director Enrico Stinchelli. The public was transported to a world of symphonic delight, through the arias of the Italian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christian Deliso.
The gala opened with the most notorious of operatic singers, Andrea Bocelli, who performed a duet with soprano Tea Purtseladze. The Puccini aria ‘Mario!Mario!’ from the opening of Tosca truly set the atmosphere for an entrancing soirée.
Entertainment segments, exalted the charm of lyric music through its main protagonists. The winners were Francesco Demuro (Best Tenor), Elena Mosuc (Best Soprano), Anna Maria Chiuri (Best Mezzosoprano), Riccardo Zanellato (Best Bass), Luca Salsi (Best Baritone), Davide Livermore (Best Director), Fabio Luisi (Best Conductor), Luciano Ricceri (Best Set Designer), Franca Squarciapino (Best Costume Designer).
Other prizes were bestowed during the evening, such as the Special Golden Opera Award to the Memory of Tenors Enrico Caruso, Giuseppe di Stefano and Beniamino Gigli (that were collected by their descendants), Special Golden Opera Lifetime Achievement Award to Soprano Mariella Devia, Special Golden Opera Award for the New Generation to the Soprano Rosa Feola and to Tenor Stefan Pop.
The event, also paid a special tribute to the Soprano Maria Malibran, and was organized by the Verona Foundation for L’Arena, promoted by the Italian Confederation of Associations and Foundations for Lyric and Symphonic Music, with the support of the Veneto Region and the collaboration of the Foundation Fenice Theater of Venice.
The history of the Opera Awards originates with Alfredo Troisi, who conceived the event in 1995, and initiated the ceremony in 2010, at the Arena di Verona, with great success from the public and critics, under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic, of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Youth.
Photo ©Michele Crosera
Opera is a Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a union of ancient and modern, past and future, that withstands the test of time, and should thus be glorified by each generation. This form of artistic expression offers not only new sources of interpretations to burgeoning talents, but also to young audiences. Hence the ‘Opera Star’ International Opera Awards, serves as an important platform in this panorama to glorify the utmost sublime and articulate performative medium.
